https://www.bchousing.org/housing-assistance/homelessness-services/homeless-prevention-program

All Canadians should be treated equally.

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, doesn't allow picking and choosing who gets a benefit under the law. This applies to government policies and programs.

1. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability

Eligibility criteria for the homelessness prevention program.

Am I eligible? To be eligible, you (or someone you know) are at immediate risk of homelessness. This includes:

• Youth transitioning out of foster care

• Women who have experienced violence or are at risk of violence

• Individuals leaving the correctional or hospital systems

• Individuals of Indigenous descent

How can services be offered to some in need and not others?

Prevention will cost far less than spending money on outreach workers, emergency services, hospital and medical expenses.

Services If you are eligible and approved, the rent supplement can assist with:

• Your rent

• Your damage deposit

• Costs that help you secure housing (for example, getting identification)

• Transportation to a housing opportunity

• Storage for your belongings as you wait to move into a new home

• Ensuring access to utilities (for example, heat and water)

• Moving expenses

• Home start-up items

I say expand eligibility criteria to everyone in BC who is homeless or about to become homeless. Health care is universal, so this should be as well. Then the number of people who become homeless every year will drop considerably.

No one deserves to be homeless not when we can prevent it. The human cost of people becoming homeless can also be prevented, it's our choice.