The City of Courtenay has struck a task force to break the cycle of mental illness, addiction and homelessness, hopefully with the assistance of local, provincial and federal governments.
The go phone ringtonesfree metro pcs phone ringtonesringtones for verizon wireless phone,ringtones for prepaid verizon wireless phonecalgary loan payday,calgary payday loanfast cash payday loan,payday us fast cash loanconsolidate payday loan debtameriloan loan paydaycash advance payday loancalculator loan paydaymoney tree payday loanno checking account payday loanez money payday loan,ez loan paydaygeorgia in loan online payday,georgia loan paydaycash advance payday loan softwarequick cash payday loanbest payday loanadvance america payday loancash fast loan online payday1000 loan payday,1000 advance payday loan,payday loan 1000 dollarpayday loan best rate,best payday loan,best loan paydayaafes loan paydayno teletrack payday loan,check loan no payday teletrack,1000 loan no payday teletrackcash til payday loanaafes payday loaneasy payday loanmilitary payday loaninfo loan message payday postinternet payday loanapplication loan online paydaybad credit faxless loan payday,bad credit loan military payday,bad credit loan paydayinstant online payday loan,completely instant loan online paydaypayday cash advance,payday cash advance utah,payday cash advance oregonaccount advance cash loan payday savings,advance loan mexico new payday,advance loan paydayloan oneclickcash paydaypayday loan calculatorapproval guaranteed loan paydaycanadian loan payday,association canadian loan paydaycash advance until paydayadvance fax loan no paydaychicago in loan payday store,chicago loan payday store1 hour payday loanyahoo payday loanadvance cash net payday usano credit payday loan,credit loan no payday,credit dollar loan no payday tenloan payday yahoogeorgia payday loancash till payday loaninstant loan online paydaypayday loan fast no faxloan till payday task force, initiated by Courtenay mayor Starr Winchester, has three specific committees – an expert panel to determine what has worked in other locations, a gap analysis panel to use that information to determine what specific needs there are in the Comox Valley, and a steering committee to set priorities and timelines and determine how to get the things that will meet those needs.
“This is a problem we cannot ignore for one more day,” said Mayor Winchester. “Homelessness is not something that occurs only in Vancouver and Victoria – there are homeless people living in Courtenay, and although there may not be as many as in a big city and the issue may not be as visible, it exists and we have to do something about it now.”
In November 2006 the Ad Hoc Emergency Resources Organization (AHERO) conducted a survey of people in the Comox Valley who were considered either absolutely homeless or at risk for becoming homeless. Among other things, the study showed that the need for housing and support services is not keeping up with the need that exists. The study also showed that approximately one-third of those surveyed are challenged by mental health or addiction problems and another third face physical health problems.
It is widely understood that homelessness must be dealt with through housing people first, and then supporting them through any issues they might have – including addiction and mental illness. “We have given ourselves a very tight timeline to complete our work,” said Tom Grant, chair of the mayor’s task force. “Much of the work in terms of research has been done, and we’re not going to re-invent the wheel by going over old ground. The important thing is to establish our key partnerships and get a plan in place for what needs to be done so that we can begin helping the homeless in the Comox Valley.”
The task force is expected to complete its report by March 1, 2008.
Media contact:
Tom Grant, task force chair, 897-2093