SMITHERS — In a significant step toward addressing the regional homelessness crisis, the Town of Smithers has been officially selected as a partner in the Province’s Heart and Hearth program. The announcement, shared with Skeena News via a press release from the Town of Smithers, marks a major milestone for local advocacy efforts aimed at supporting the community’s most vulnerable residents.
Smithers joins six other B.C. communities—including Cranbrook, New Westminster, and Powell River—in the second phase of this provincial initiative.
What is Heart and Hearth?
Funded under the Belonging in BC Homelessness Plan, the program is a dual-track initiative managed by BC Housingand the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs. It focuses on both immediate intervention and long-term stability:
- HEART (Homeless Encampment Action Response Team): This multidisciplinary team focuses on coordinated outreach. Professionals work directly with people living outdoors to address mental health, addiction, and social needs, connecting them with healthcare and community supports.
- HEARTH (Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing): This component provides funding for the rapid development of new or expanded temporary shelter and housing options. The goal is to create safe, indoor spaces that bridge the gap to permanent housing.
Why Smithers?
For years, Smithers Council and staff have advocated for increased support, citing the specific challenges faced by small northern communities with limited resources. Communities are selected for the program based on several factors, including the presence of local encampments, existing service gaps, and a clear demonstrated need for coordinated support.
“We appreciate that the Province and BC Housing have recognized the needs of our small northern community,” the Town stated in its release.
Community Engagement and Next Steps
While the program has been greenlit, a specific location for a new shelter or housing units has not yet been selected. BC Housing will now establish a local working group that includes municipal staff, First Nations and Indigenous partners, the Health Authority, and non-profit service providers to guide the implementation.
The Town has emphasized that public transparency is a priority. Council has directed that clear public engagement must be part of the process so that solutions are compassionate, practical, and supported by the community.
A Path to Safety
Beyond providing shelter, the Heart and Hearth initiative aims to reduce the overall impact of encampments in public spaces, thereby improving safety and well-being for all residents. “This investment is about compassion, safety, and working together as a community,” the Town noted.
