Social Development

Local Governments have limited direct responsibility for the provision of social services within their communities. However, they are often the first points of contact for people in need and, thus, service gaps are often identified in collaboration with municipal governments. As a result, municipalities play multiple roles in social development processes from policy development and service delivery to providing funding to local community agencies and advocating to senior levels of government.

Local Governments often apply collaborative and intersectional approaches to their social development processes by engaging stakeholders from multiple sectors to address complex social issues such as poverty, housing affordability, accessibility, homelessness, etc.

The City of Nanaimo plays an important role in improving the social well-being of its residents and enhancing social inclusion and connection within the community. As part of social development, Staff, in collaboration with community partners, works to identify service needs and gaps and seek out opportunities to address them.