Emergency Housing & Support Services
Resources & Information for the Sunshine Coast
Emergency Housing & Support Services
Resources & Information for the Sunshine Coast
Along with many communities in British Columbia, the Sunshine Coast has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Many of these community members have lived here for a long time but have lost their rentals because of the significant increase in housing costs. Rents have more than doubled in the past five years.
The last Homeless Count was in 2020 and identified 84 people who a were homeless on the Sunshine Coast. However, this number only represents a one-day ‘snapshot’, having taken place over a single day, and does not paint the full picture.
While homelessness and housing insecurity impacts everyone, it particularly hurts our most vulnerable: seniors who are on fixed incomes, single parent families, youth aging out of care, and individuals struggling with mental health or addiction.
There are many people and organizations in our community who are working to provide immediate support for our homeless population as well as developing long-term housing options. Homelessness is an issue that affects us all, and in order to build a healthy and resilient community, we need to be open to change.
The following free services and resources are available for people in our community.
Detailed information can be found in the following sections:
FOOD BANK RESOURCES
EMERGENCY SHELTERS, SUPPORTIVE &
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
LEGAL SUPPORT & ADVOCACY
OUTREACH &
COMMUNITY HUBS
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION
HEALTH SERVICES
FOOD BANK RESOURCES
ST. BART'S FOOD BANK
Program Contact Information
Phone: (604) 886-7410
Email: stbarts@telus.net
Location: 659 North Road, Gibsons
Website: http://stbarts-gibsons.com/outreach/food-bank/
Hours:
Food Banks are held monthly on the third Wednesday, from 11am to 3pm
St. Bart’s Food Bank is a no-barrier, volunteer run community service. We do ask clients to provide a BC personal health care number which is kept confidential and used for statistics recording purposes only. NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY, whether they have a PHN or not.
THE SALVATION ARMY FOOD PROGRAMS
Program Contact Information
Phone: 604-886-3665
Email: gibsons_bc@can.salvationarmy.org
Location: #5 – 682 Gibsons Way, Gibsons
Website: https://sunshinecoastsa.ca/food-services/
Hours:
Harvest of Hope Foodbank: Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Bread & Produce: Monday to Friday (except holidays) 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Hot Lunch Program: Tuesday and Friday 11:30 a.m.
Every December, Salvation Army also invites low-income families to enjoy a lovely Christmas meal
SUNSHINE COAST FOOD BANK (SCCSS)
Program Contact Information
Phone: 604-885-5881 ext. 240
Email: scfoodbank@sccss.ca
Location: 5657 Lamprey Lane, Sechelt
Website: https://www.sccss.ca/programs/community-action-engagement/food-bank
Hours:
Wednesday morning 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Wednesday afternoon 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Thursday morning 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Please come into the Food Bank during opening hours to register for services.
To access Food Bank services, you will need:
• Identification for each person in the household, Personal Health Care Cards are acceptable.
• Proof of residency on the Sunshine Coast, driver’s license, hydro bill etc. (we do make allowances for the homeless)
• If a member of the household is over 19 years of age, we request they come to the Food Bank with the client and inform us that they share the house and would like to access the Food Bank. If they are not able to do this, they are requested to call us to confirm and write a brief note.
PENDER HARBOUR COMMUNITY CHURCH FOOD BANK
Program Contact Information
Phone: 604-883-9773
Email: penderharbourfoodbank@gmail.com
Location: 12891, Lagoon Road, Madeira Park (At the Church)
Website: https://penderharbourcc.com/food-bank/
Hours:
Meet at the church (12891, Lagoon Road) on a bi-weekly basis on Food Bank Monday, 11:00-12:30
EMERGENCY SHELTERS, TRANSITIONAL & SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
GIBSONS COLD WEATHER SHELTER
Program Contact Information
Primary Phone: Marissa (Manager) (604-865-1534)
Secondary Phone: Darrell (778-388-9649)
Location: 682 Gibsons Way, Gibsons (Salvation Army space next to Panago)
Website: https://gibsons.ca/community/winter-response-shelter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cw.shelter
Hours:
Daily 7pm to 7am
RAINCITY SHELTER (SECHELT)
Program Contact Information
Phone: Sean Talbot (604-740-8160)
E-Mail: stalbot@raincityhousing.org
Location: 5653 Lamprey Lane, Sechelt (above Angelo’s pizza)
Website: https://www.raincityhousing.org/programs/sunshine-coast-homeless-services/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainCityHousingSunshineCoast/
Hours:
Daily 7pm to 7am
RAINCITY HIGHTIDE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING (SECHELT)
Program Contact Information
E-Mail: (Megan Macintosh; Manager) mmacintosh@raincityhousing.org
Location: 5656 Hightide Avenue, Sechelt
Website: https://www.raincityhousing.org/programs/hightide/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainCityHousingSunshineCoast/
Hours:
24/7
RAINCITY GIBSONS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Program Contact Information
E-Mail: (Eli Leary; Manager) eleary@raincityhousing.org
Location: 749 School Road in Gibsons
Website: https://www.raincityhousing.org/programs/gibsons-modular-housing-gibsons/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainCityHousingSunshineCoast/
Hours:
24/7
YEW TRANSITION HOUSE (SCCSS)
Sunshine Coast Community Services Society
Yew Transition House (for women & children fleeing violence)
Program Contact Information:
24 Hr Access Line: 604-885-2944
Toll Free: 1-877-885-2949
Office: 604-885-5128
TTY Users: Please leave message by dialing 711 | Fax: 604-885-6482
THYME SECOND STAGE PROGRAM (SCCSS)
Sunshine Coast Community Services Society
Thyme Second Stage Program (for women & children fleeing abuse)
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-885-4241
Email: Karen Watmough (Program Coordinator) kwatmough@sccss.ca
Website: https://www.sccss.ca/programs/housing/thyme-second-stage-program
SCCSS Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am – 4pm
LEGAL SUPPORT & ADVOCACY
RESOURCE CENTRE COMMUNITY LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM
Program Contact Information
Phone: 604-989-5771, 604-885-4088
E-Mail: advocate@resourcecentre.ca
Location: 5710 Teredo Street #107A, Sechelt
Website: https://resourcecentre.ca/program/community-legal-advocacy/
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
ACCESS PRO BONO
Program Contact Information
Phone: 1-877-762-6664, 1-604-878-7400
E-Mail: help@accessprobono.ca
Location: 682 Gibsons Way (At Salvation Army Foodbank)
Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca/
A small charitable organization of dedicated directors and staff who rely on the goodwill of thousands of volunteers to provide access to justice in every BC community.
Programs Include:
+ Summary advice program for low-modest income individuals
+ Legal advice around tenancy issues
+ Mental health program for those detained under BC’s mental health act
LEGAL AID B.C.
Program Contact Information
Phone: 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver), 1-866-577-2525 (elsewhere in BC)
Phone: (General inquiries only) 604-601-6000
Location: 400 – 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Website: https: https://lss.bc.ca/
Hours:
Legal Aid Applications
Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri — 9 am to 4 pm
Wed — 9 am to 2:30 pm
Administration (general inquiries only)
Mon through Fri — 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Wed — 9 am to 2:30 pm
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Legal Aid BC can give you free legal information, free legal advice, and free representation services.
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Some services are only available to those with modest incomes, but many services are available to all British Columbians.
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Call Legal Aid BC to apply for free legal representation (if financially eligible) for criminal charges, serious family law problems, child protection matters, mental health and prison issues, some immigration problems, other legal issues made on a case-by-case basis by Legal Aid BC.
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY HUBS
ARROWHEAD CLUBHOUSE (SCCSS)
Program Contact Information:
Website: https://arrowclub.org/
Facebook: Arrowhead Clubhouse
Contact: Foye Hatton / Jill Stones
Phone: 604-747-4734
E-Mail: arrowhead@sccss.ca
Address:
5661 Dolphin St, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
Hours
Open: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 3.30 pm
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Arrowhead Clubhouse is a place where people living with mental illness on the Sunshine Coast can come to learn skills, get support and build relationships in a safe, stigma-free environment.
Our Clubhouse is an inclusive community of hope where individuals find encouragement, opportunities, and, most importantly, a sense of ownership and belonging. Arrowhead is a community of 315 people working together to achieve a common goal. The Clubhouse is divided into four units that offer an opportunity for members to use their skills or learn different ones in various areas: Kitchen, Clerical, Peer Support and Garden/Maintenance. Members can also participate in member-led activities such as creative writing, yoga or art.
YOUTH OUTREACH (SCCSS)
Sunshine Coast Community Services Society
Phone or Text: 604-865-0178
Instagram: @scyouthoutreach
E-Mail: youth@sccss.ca
Website: https://www.sccss.ca/programs/family-youth-childrens-services/youth/youth-outreach
Hours:
24/7
The Youth Outreach program works to increase youth safety by connecting and referring youth to local resources, focusing on risk reduction and providing the community with a broader understanding of youth issues.
This program is coordinated in partnership with Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, and Pender Harbour Community Schools. Referrals are not required. The program is free and confidential.
SC COMMUNITY RESOURCES INFORMATION HUB
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-885-4088
E-Mail: help@resourcecentre.ca
Website: https://resourcecentre.ca/program/information-hub/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastResourceCentre/community
Location: 107A – 5710 Teredo Street PO Box 1443 Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
The Resource Centre information hub is there to connect you with local, provincial and federal programs and services. We hear questions on any number of topics, including tenancy, legal, health-related, and general information. You can search our online resource directory by topic or Call Us, come talk to us in person or send us an email. Drop-ins are welcome, appointments are recommended.
The Resource Centre Can:
• Help you find out what local, provincial and federal programs & services exist that can help your individual situation
• Assist you with filling out forms (government, housing, tax-related etc.) on paper, or online
• Offer you help with technology & how to access services online
• Book our in-house computer for your use
• Offer you free printing, scanning and faxing services
• Listen compassionately, guarantee confidentiality, and ensure a safe space for all – come as you are.
GIBSONS DISTRICT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-886-2130
E-Mail: gdplinfo@gibsons.bclibrary.ca
Website: https://gibsons.bc.libraries.coop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gibsonslibrary/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gibsonslibrary/
Location: 470 South Fletcher Road, Box 109, Gibsons BC V0N 1V0
Hours:
Monday – Saturday 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
SECHELT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-885-3260
E-Mail:
General Info: info@sechelt.bclibrary.ca
Library Director: Leianne Emery – leianne.emery@secheltlibrary.ca
Website: https://sechelt.bc.libraries.coop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secheltlibrary/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/secheltlibrary/
Location: 5797 Cowrie Street, PO Box 2104, Sechelt BC V0N 3A0
Hours:
Mon 10 – 5
Tue 10 – 5
Wed 10 – 6
Thu 10 – 5
Fri 10 – 5
Sat 10 – 3
COAST COMMUNITY CONSULTANT
Program Contact Information
(Free Drop-In Advocacy Services)
Phone: Laurel Phillips (604-740-7505), Hugh Macaulay (604-655-4886)
E-Mail: coastcommunityconsultant@gmail.com
Location: 682 Gibsons Way (At Salvation Army Foodbank)
Website: https://www.coastcommunityconsultant.com
Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 9am to 11am
SUNSHINE COAST INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TEAM (VCH)
Program Contact Information (ICMT)
Phone: 604-885-8678
‘If you are an adult with challenges relating to substance use, there is a new health care service here on the Sunshine Coast that could help you.’
‘Our new outreach team serves adults with substance use challenges who may also’:
+ Be homeless or at risk of homelessness
+ Face threats to personal safety
+ Have needs not being met by other health services
• Substance use and harm reduction services
• Employment/volunteer training and opportunities
• Housing resources
• Income and food security
• Basic living skills
• Justice system supports
• Community integration
• Family supports
• Peer supports
• Primary care and psychiatric resources and support
RAINCITY HOMELESSNESS OUTREACH
Robby Gillard
Phone: 604-989-5179
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RainCityHousingSunshineCoast/
EVERYBODY NEEDS A HOME GIBSONS
Silas White
Phone: 604-741-7023
E-Mail: silas.white@impactresolutions.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/silas.white
COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS (SCCSS)
Contact Information:
Steve Oka (Client Navigator)
Phone: 604-885-5881 Ext 248
Website: www.sccss.ca
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday
Sunshine Coast Community Services offers over 30 programs in four key areas – Child & Family Counselling, Family, Youth and Children’s Services, Community Action and Engagement, and Together Against Violence.
If you are unsure about who to contact at Sunshine Coast Community Services, their Client Navigator, Steve Oka will connect you with the right person.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
KEEPING PEOPLE HOUSED (SCCSS)
Program Contact Information
Steve Oka (Client Navigator)
Phone: 604-885-5881 Ext. 248
E-Mail: soka@sccss.ca
Website: https://www.sccss.ca/programs/community-action-engagement/keeping-people-housed
Location:
5638 Inlet Ave., Sechelt
731 North Road, Gibsons, BC
Keeping People Housed offers an interest-free loan to families and individuals on the Sunshine Coast who meet the eligibility requirements during a temporary and unexpected financial crisis.
SHELTER AID FOR ELDERLY RENTERS (SAFER)
Program Contact Information
Website: https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs/SAFER
Lower income seniors renting in the private market may be eligible for a rent supplement through SAFER.
The Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER) program helps make rents affordable for BC seniors with low to moderate incomes. SAFER provides monthly cash payments to subsidize rents for eligible BC residents who are age 60 or over. Existing clients need to reapply each year.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RAP)
Program Contact Information
Website: https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/rental-assistance-programs/RAP
The Rental Assistance Program provides eligible low-income working families with monthly assistance to help with their monthly rent payments.
To qualify, families must have a total before-tax household income of $40,000 or less, were working at some point in the last year, and have at least one dependent child. Existing clients need to reapply each year.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX PROGRAM (SC RESOURCE CENTRE)
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-885-4088
E-Mail: help@resourcecentre.ca
Website: https://resourcecentre.ca/program/community-volunteer-income-tax-program/
Location: 107A – 5710 Teredo Street PO Box 1443 Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0
Hours:
Monday – Thursday 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
The Sunshine Coast Resource Centre is a host organization for the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) in collaboration with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Our team of community volunteers will help you with the preparation of current and prior-year tax returns. CVITP is available all year, free of charge to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria. If mobility is a challenge, volunteers may be able to get help and information over the phone. To qualify you must have a simple tax situation. In general, a tax situation is simple if an individual has no income or if their income comes from a variety of sources.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
• Employment
• Pension
• Benefits, such as Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, disability insurance, employment insurance, and social assistance
• Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs)
• Support payments
• Scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, or grants
• Interest (under $1,000)
To find out if you are eligible and/or to make a tax preparation appointment please give them a call.
MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION SERVICES
ARROWHEAD CLUBHOUSE (SCCSS)
Program Contact Information:
Website: https://arrowclub.org/
Facebook: Arrowhead Clubhouse
Contact: Foye Hatton / Jill Stones
Phone: 604-747-4734
E-Mail: arrowhead@sccss.ca
Address:
5661 Dolphin St, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
Hours
Open: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 3.30 pm
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Arrowhead Clubhouse is a place where people living with mental illness on the Sunshine Coast can come to learn skills, get support and build relationships in a safe, stigma-free environment.
Our Clubhouse is an inclusive community of hope where individuals find encouragement, opportunities, and, most importantly, a sense of ownership and belonging. Arrowhead is a community of 315 people working together to achieve a common goal. The Clubhouse is divided into four units that offer an opportunity for members to use their skills or learn different ones in various areas: Kitchen, Clerical, Peer Support and Garden/Maintenance. Members can also participate in member-led activities such as creative writing, yoga or art.
SUNSHINE COAST MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTION SERVICES
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-885-6101
Location: Vancouver Coastal Health 5542 Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt
Hours:
Crisis Response: Monday to Friday 3:30pm – 10pm; Saturday/Sunday 8:30am – 10pm
Walk-In: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 3:30pm
• Outpatient individual and group counselling
• Assessments
• Treatment planning
• Crisis response services
• Short-term counselling
• Employment and education support
• Referrals to other supports and resources
+ Detox and treatment centres
+ Wellness groups
+ Psychiatrist consultation
+ Education to community groups and events
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION ON THE SUNSHINE COAST
Program Contact Information
Phone: Khiem Nguyen (604-399-9189)
E-Mail: khiem.nguyen@cmhc.bc.ca
Location: 682 Gibsons Way (At Salvation Army Foodbank)
Website: https://northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/programs-services/sunshine-coast/
Hours:
Every Thursday, 9am to 11am and 1:30pm to 3:30pm
• Drop-In Mental Health Navigation
• For anyone who would like to talk, get information, learn about resources available in the community, and get support accessing them.
SMART RECOVERY
Program Contact Information
Phone: Tessa Veikle (778-246-6062)
E-Mail: tessa.veikle@cmha.bc.ca
Location: 682 Gibsons Way (At Salvation Army Foodbank)
Website: https://northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca/programs-services/sunshine-coast/
Hours:
Every Tuesday, 5pm to 6pm
VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH (MENTAL HEALTH INTAKE LINE)
Mental Health Intake Line:
Phone: 604-885-6101 (Sunshine Coast)
Website: http://www.vch.ca/your-care/mental-health-substance-use/accessing-mental-health-substance-use-services
Hours:
Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Provides a single point of entry for mental health and substance use health care and support services for the Sunshine Coast and Powell River areas of Vancouver Coastal Health. Services may be provided in hospitals, the community or in your own home.
HEALTH CARE SERVICES
SUNSHINE COAST MOBILE NEEDLE EXCHANGE/HARM REDUCTION PROGRAM (VCH)
Gibsons Health Unit
Harm reduction worker cellphone: 604-741-1082
Gibsons health unit: 604-984-5070
Toll Free: 1-888-603-0167
Location: 821 Gibsons Way, Gibsons
Fax: (604) 984-5075
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunshineCoastMobileNeedleExchange/
Website: http://www.vch.ca/locations-services/result?res_id=1408&fbclid=IwAR1gs4VdkjS3c08OA0A7KouBJU2eY1pfqrNsoTrz6UT_D0D2oYysGHIODhE
Program Coordinator:
Brent Fitzsimmons
brent.fitzsimmons@vch.ca
Hours:
Gibsons Health Unit
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Mobile Service
Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
‘We provide harm reduction supplies, including safer injection, safer smoking and safer sex supplies along with harm reduction education and referrals to health services, addictions services and other social supports. We offer safe disposal of needles and other injection supplies. Harm reduction services are offered directly through Vancouver Coastal Health at many community health centres, through contracted agencies and in partnership with other community organizations.
We offer a mobile service for the entire Lower Sunshine Coast including Egmont, Port Melon, Gibsons, Sechelt, and Madeira Park. Clients leave a message &/or phone number on the pager. A harm reduction worker will then arrange to meet clients.
The goals of this program are to prevent infections, including HIV and Hepatitis C, to provide harm reduction education and support, and to connect clients to programs and services to improve health and well-being.’
GIBSONS HEALTH UNIT (VCH)
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-984-5070
Location: 821 Gibsons Way, Gibsons
Fax: 604-984-5075
Website: http://www.vch.ca/locations-services/result?res_id=1362
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Gibsons Health Unit is a community health centre that provides a range of health care services in a single location, including access to public and community health nurses, mental health and addiction counsellors, dental clinics for children, speech therapists, youth drop-in health clinics and more. There is a home health dietitian and a public health dietitian available throughout the Sunshine Coast.
GIBSONS MEDICAL CLINIC
Program Contact Information:
Phone: 604-886-2868
Location: Unit 211-1100 Sunshine Coast Highway, Gibsons
Fax: 604-886-9716
Website: http://www.gibsonsmedicalassociates.net/
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
‘The Gibsons Medical Associates is the largest group of family physicians on the Sunshine Coast with a clinic operating in Gibsons.
We are a close team of doctors dedicated to providing health care for you and your entire family. Within the group we have a number of physicians with specialist interests in obstetrics, diabetes, anesthesiology, palliative care, emergency medicine, addiction and marriage counseling. This provides our patients with a great medical service.
We hope you enjoy our website and take time to become more familiar with our team of doctors.’
