Back in 2006, the City of Nanaimo asked us to join with Island Health and a local provider to take on a day use program called the living room. The concept with the living room was to provide a shelter space where those living on the street could come for a coffee, a pastries and fruit; to look for housing; internet use; a place to do laundry; and was intended as a place to have a shower.
Our own master plan calls for s similar program, but with supervised self-medications; a place to sleep during the day; lockers to keep stuff safe while sleeping; education and immediate access to doctors.
We have reach out to Island Health, The Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and the City of Nanaimo and while many seem to agree with our plan, not much action has taken place on that front – mostly because we are not a non-profit organization.
We are looking for a partner to seek the funding, and to manage this life saving program and to work in collaboration with all internal stakeholders.
From the property owner’s perspective, some assistance in leasehold improvements and rent may be available.