The City of North Vancouver is chipping in another $75,000 to help out folks who can’t make rent, thanks to the pandemic.
At its Sept. 14 meeting, council voted to add more funding to the North Shore Rent Bank, a service run by the Harvest Project intended to keep vulnerable people from slipping into homelessness.
In a release, Mayor Linda Buchanan said building community resiliency is part of the city’s COVID-19 mitigation strategy.
“We all want to feel safe in our homes,” she said. “This pandemic has put many in our community out of work. To those who are worried about choosing between putting food on the table or paying rent, I want you to know that help is on the way.”
The Rent Bank offers short-term, no-interest loans for people at risk of eviction or having their utilities disconnected while they are temporarily short on funds. It can also offer a security deposit if that is the only barrier for someone getting access to safe housing.
Gary Ansell, executive director of the Harvest Project, welcomed the influx and what it would mean for vulnerable renters.
“Many of our neighbours need a hand-up to be able to stay housed through these difficult times," he said in a release. "The North Shore Rent Bank provides tangible help now by providing loans and grants. Thanks to the City of North Vancouver, we’re able to assist more people who need this life-changing resource. We share the goal of making the city, and indeed the entire North Shore, the healthiest place to live, for all of us.”
