The City of Delta is collaborating with community partners to develop a pocket guide to support residents experiencing homelessness, residents with substance use disorders and additional support for seniors.
According to city officials, it’s one of the various initiatives underway to help vulnerable people in the community.
The guide will include information about shelters, housing and crisis supports, harm reduction and Delta's food security services, according to a recent staff report to council.
The report notes the guide will be available this summer and will allow for a more consistent approach to referrals by community partners and city staff.
The report also notes, that the city, for the last four months, has partnered with the North Delta Food Depot to raise awareness about the food resources available to residents.
Since November, the food depot has seen an increase in clients, but it is too early to determine whether the city's efforts contributed to the uptick, so staff are in the process of evaluating promotion efforts to determine future steps.
The Delta Food Coalition, comprising 20 community groups and coordinated through the Earthwise Society, is currently reviewing the barriers to accessing food banks and exploring the possibility of coalition members delivering food to families who cannot pick it up.
City staff are also waiting for a decision on a poverty assessment grant application, while staff continue to actively engage with community partners to understand and support food security in both North and South Delta, the report notes.
The DFC has been operating food rescue programs since the summer of 2020 to support local vulnerable families.
Meanwhile, the city is also in the process of updating its Social Action Plan.
Staff over the past four months have been meeting with community partners to discuss strategic directions.
“In addition, local health authorities and both Delta Divisions of Family Practices were engaged in separate consultation processes. Staff is currently reviewing and analyzing input received from various community groups, which will help identify key strategic directions, objectives, and concrete actions to address the identified social needs,” the report adds.
The draft of the new plan will be shared with the community groups for feedback this summer and it’s anticipated it will be presented to council in this fall.
