Emergency Social Services
This section provides information on BC Housing's role in a
provincially-declared emergency. BC Housing provides support to
the
Provincial Emergency Program
(PEP) through the Emergency Social Services
(ESS) program. PEP is the government agency
responsible for responding to emergencies within British Columbia.
Click here
for more information for municipalities.
The following are specific ways in which BC Housing assists
local authorities and provides support to the ESS program:
Preparing for a disaster
BC Housing is continually coordinating emergency lodging supplies. Cots and blankets have been stockpiled throughout the province so that group lodging facilities can be established in existing community buildings.
BC Housing is continually coordinating emergency lodging supplies. Cots and blankets have been stockpiled throughout the province so that group lodging facilities can be established in existing community buildings.
BC Housing also assists
local authorities
in preparing for emergencies or major disasters by offering
courses through the
Rapid Damage Assessment Program.
Responding to a disaster
When a major disaster strikes leaving large numbers of British Columbians homeless, BC Housing provides the following support to the ESS program:
When a major disaster strikes leaving large numbers of British Columbians homeless, BC Housing provides the following support to the ESS program:
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Assisting local authorities to locate and secure group lodging for residents and disaster support workers.
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Coordinating emergency lodging supplies – cots, blankets, etc. – throughout the province.
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Assisting Emergency staff and volunteers to manage group emergency lodging and assess disaster damage.
Recovery: long-term housing
BC Housing will also assist displaced people, who may qualify for subsidized housing, through distribution and quick processing of housing applications. This does not mean priority over those already waiting for subsidized housing, but is instead a way to help people get started on finding a long-term housing solution. For more information on the application process click here , or contact The Housing Registry at 604-433-2218 in the lower mainland or 1-800-257-7756 outside of the lower mainland.
BC Housing will also assist displaced people, who may qualify for subsidized housing, through distribution and quick processing of housing applications. This does not mean priority over those already waiting for subsidized housing, but is instead a way to help people get started on finding a long-term housing solution. For more information on the application process click here , or contact The Housing Registry at 604-433-2218 in the lower mainland or 1-800-257-7756 outside of the lower mainland.