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HEART and HEARTH

The Ministry of Housing identified the City of Nanaimo as a priority community to participate in the Provincial programs Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART) and Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH). On January 29, 2024, they entered into a HEART and HEARTH MOU.

Homeless Encampment Action Response Team (HEART)

The HEART program proposes to coordinate service provider teams to support encampment response. HEART members will collect and share information about local homelessness, address mental health, physical, cultural, and social support needs of people living outdoors and analyze system gaps and challenges with the goal of preventing homelessness and resolving encampments. BC Housing will lead the coordination of the HEART teams. These teams will include municipal staff, Indigenous service providers, First Nations, healthcare providers, and non-profit organizations. The intention of the program is to support community partners that are already doing significant and valuable outreach work on the ground and bring dedicated support for coordination to help increase impact and address local challenges. The HEART model is based on a successful pilot program that has been operating in the City of Victoria since May 2017. Victoria’s pilot program was instrumental in designing and implementing encampment resolution plans in that community. HEART teams will include new and existing local outreach and service providers. HEART team capacity to deliver services to people experiencing homelessness and in encampments will expand as new employees are hired and partners are integrated.

Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH)

Along with the coordinated support services provided through HEART teams, HEARTH is a funding program administered by BC Housing for the development and operation of new emergency housing options. Permanent housing options may also fall within the scope of this program, however construction for permanent housing will take longer to complete. 

Current HEARTH locations occupying 159 units include:

  • 250 Terminal Ave (Newcastle Place) - 50 units are occupied and the site is operated by Island Crisis Care Society.
  • 1300 Island Highway - 50 units are occupied and the site is operated by Connective Society BC.
  • 1030 Old Victoria Road - 59 units are occupied and the site is operated by Vancouver Island Mental Health Society.

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