North Cowichan mayor asks for province’s help to address homelessness, mental health

The mayor of a Vancouver Island community says he needs help from the B.C. government to address homelessness and mental health issues.

Mayor Rob Douglas says North Cowichan is spending $2 million a year managing the crisis in the region.

In a letter to Premier David Eby, Douglas asked for the former Cowichan District Hospital to be turned into a treatment centre, a year-round shelter and drop-in centre, plus funding for temporary housing and treatment and recovery beds.

“We have had productive conversations with the premier directly, cabinet ministers, leadership at Island Health,” Douglas told Global News.

“While I appreciate the dialogue, we haven’t seen that translate into the sufficient action on the ground.

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“The province has opened several of these sites for people with complex mental health and addictions challenges. They’re now working on sites in Maple Ridge, Surrey, they’ve announced one for Prince George, and we’d like to see one in our community as well.”

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In a statement to Global News, B.C.’s Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs said they know more needs to be done to help the most vulnerable members of the province’s communities.

“We’re encouraged by the increasing number of local governments that are stepping up to collaborate to support the vulnerable in their communities and work together to help end homelessness,” the statement read.

“Communities are stronger and safer for everyone when we bring people indoors to stable shelter and housing, so people have better opportunities to connect to the supports and services they need.”

The ministry said that since 2017, the province has 100 affordable homes either open or underway in North Cowichan, plus 52 supportive homes open at Sq’umul’ Shelh Lelum, 6428 Paddle Rd.

There are also 47 permanent shelter spaces in Cowichan Valley (22 in Duncan, 10 in Ladysmith, and 15 in North Cowichan), according to the ministry.

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