Cowichan Valley homelessness and housing response

The Cowichan Coalition to End Homelessness presented a report to the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board proposing a three-phase strategy to address homelessness affecting over 400 people in the region. The proposal includes prevention through increased shelter capacity and eviction subsidies, intervention via village-style supportive housing and managed RV sites, and stabilization through expanded transitional and affordable housing.

Following this report, the Cowichan Valley Regional District board approved the Emergency Shelter and Supportive Housing Siting Policy. This framework establishes criteria for placing future facilities by evaluating proximity to transportation, health services, and social infrastructure. The policy was developed following a referral process involving 28 organizations, including First Nations and community service providers, to determine whether facilities should be concentrated in urban centers or distributed across electoral areas.

This policy specifically establishes criteria for future temporary use permits, rezoning, and public land development. Rather than naming specific sites, the framework evaluates locations based on access to transportation, health services, social services, and proximity to amenities such as parks and schools.