Parksville council will discuss appointing one of its members to the Oceanside Taskforce on Homelessness.
Coun. Marilyn Wilson provided a notice of motion during council’s Dec. 20 regular meeting that a member of Parksville council be appointed to the task force to provide the city an opportunity for representation, participation, and dialogue with the current partners.
The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness was formed in 2010 and works to address homelessness and related issues in Oceanside, from Nanoose to Deep Bay and inland to Whiskey Creek.
The group identified 87 people experiencing homelessness in the region when it conducted a point in time homelessness count in April 2021, according to its website. The 2018 count identified 42 individuals. Point in time counts provide a snapshot of people who are experiencing homelessness in a 24-hour period, their demographic characteristics and service use.
Current task Force members include representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Career Centre, Forward House Community Society, Island Crisis Care Society, Manna Homeless Society, Oceanside Health Centre, OHEARTS, Oceanside RCMP, the Regional District of Nanaimo, Society of Organized Services (SOS), the Town of Qualicum Beach and Vancouver Island Regional Library.
Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2022.
