Coquitlam signed on this month to pay for part of the co-ordinator position with the Tri-Cities Homelessness Task Group.
At its Nov. 2 meeting, city council earmarked $21,532 over two years to fund the “thankless job,” Mayor Richard Stewart said.
The money will come out of the city’s Affordable Housing Reserve Fund.
“This task group needs it now more than ever,” Coun. Chris Wilson said, noting the uptick in homelessness due to the pandemic as well as the mental health and drug abuse cases. “It truly is saving lives.”
Coun. Teri Towner, a task group delegate for Coquitlam council who seconded Coun. Brent Asmundson’s motion for funding, described the work and communication by co-ordinator Polly Krier as “amazing.” The role was previously filled by volunteer Sandy Burpee.
The municipal funding can be used to leverage senior government aid, city staff told council.
Port Coquitlam is set to consider its share Nov. 25, at its committee of council meeting; it amounts to about $8,200 over two years. The task group also requested $5,186 from Port Moody council, which was approved Oct. 27 (council also offered the group a meeting space for 2021 and ’22, if needed).
In addition to her part-time job with the task group, Krier is also a village councillor in Anmore.
