The Capital Regional District, as the Community Entity (CE) administering the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home (RH): Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, has established an Open Request for Funding process in the allocation of $250,000 of Designated Communities Reaching Home funds.  Proposals will be adjudicated in the order at which they are received, and eligible project funding will be awarded until the total allocation of $250,000 is expended. 

Funding is available for eligible projects between $20,000-$75,000, which take place November 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022.

The RH Community Advisory Board (CAB), through their RH Investment Plan, has identified the following priorities for the disbursement of funds:

1. Housing Services
2. Prevention and Shelter Diversion
3. Client Support Activities

The specific focus of this Open Request for Funding is:

• Outreach to unsheltered Individuals including short term access to food;
• Purchase and distribution of personal hygiene products, clothing, footwear and blankets or access to shower and laundry facilities;
• Life skills development;
• Eligible expenses to address community safety related to COVID-19;
• Other eligible basic needs to increase safety and wellbeing of unsheltered individuals.

Eligible project costs and activities for each of the above current, urgent or emergent issues are outlined in the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home:  Canada’s Homelessness Strategy Directives and only proposals that meet these specific sections of the Directives will be considered.

Not-for-profit organizations, First Nations and local governments providing services within the Victoria Census Metropolitan Area are invited to apply for this funding. 

In addition to the above stated priorities and eligible activities, the proposal must meet the following criteria:

• Address one or more of the five Key Outcome Areas of the 2019-2024 Community Plan to End Homelessness in the Capital Region
• If related to provision of Housing Services, work within Housing First principles.
• Demonstrate strong project concept, viability, organizational capacity and community support.
• Meet all CRD contracting requirements, including but not limited to proof of minimum of $3M Commercial General Liability Insurance.

How to Apply

1. Download the document in the Additional Documents section below.
2. Complete and submit a 2-3 page proposal along with a Budget Template document. The budget template can be requested from Jerry Michael, Reaching Home Program Coordinator, jmichael@crd.bc.ca .

When to Apply

Proposals are accepted at any time and adjudicated as received.  This first come first served allocation of funding will continue until all funds are expended or until Jan 31, 2022, whichever is earlier.

Adjudication

Decisions will be made by the CE in accordance to above CAB approved criteria and CRD contracting requirements, and on a first come basis.

For more information or to discuss your project idea, please contact Jerry Michael, Reaching Home Program Coordinator at 250-360-3319 or jmichael@crd.bc.ca