June 15, 2009 - District of Mission

7
213
housing committee met with landlords and service providers in a teleconference with Marg
Gordon of the BC Apartment Owners and Managers Association. In April, the housing
committee met with Dan Kipper, Housing Coordinator with Fraser Health to discuss successful
housing implementations for individuals with mental health challenges in the Fraser Valley.
The committee is arranging an educational campaign or event for landlords and tenants in
Mission and elsewhere in the Valley, in collaboration with the BCAOMA and the Tenant Rental
Advisory Council. These two bodies are already preparing a joint educational program for the
Fraser Valley. The most recent Fraser Valley Housing Initiative meeting also heard interest from
Chilliwack on the idea of holding education and support workshops for landlords.
Last week, the housing sub-committee received booklets and pamphlets on the Residential
Tenancy Act from BC Housing. I have placed some of these in City Hall both downstairs and
upstairs for the public to utilize Additionally, I will be distributing these at the Mission library,
MCSS and other community organizations. The pamphlets entitled "What every landlord and
tenant needs to know" has been translated into over a dozen languages. These will also be
available in Mission.
Integrate Social Planning
The purpose of this committee is to identify and initiate actions which integrate social
development into all aspects of operations throughout the community
Current initiatives in this area include the "Building a Community Vessel" initiative. This sub
committee in partnership with the 40 Developmental Assets sub committee is looking into
having a community canoe contructed for use by youth so that they may partipcate in padddling
events. It is believed that these paddling events will build critical skills in self esteem and
teamwork, as well as provide a positive and constructive use of time for youth.
Additionally, there is a significant Aborginal component to this activity bridging cultural ties and
increasing understanding. Individuals from this sub commitee have applied for some provinical
funding for this initiative but will likely require further community support. Both Inspector Pat
Walsh and Constable Sharon Siluch are spearheading and supporting this project.
It was announced last week that funding in the amount of a $17,000 grant has been secured for
the construction of the community canoe. Constable Sharon Siluch will be hosting information
meetings around the canoe and brainstorming methods in how best to utilize this funding.
Central Resource Bureau
The purpose of this committee is to identify and coordinate easy to access volunteer resources
and opportunities to maximize the benefits of the community.
The District of Mission engaged Margaret Hardy of Demal Services Inc. to create an electronic
"Central Resource Bureau" of community services. Mission is continuing to move forward with
the 'Go Mission' Project aimed at developing an on line Central Resource Bureau in an
P.O. Box 20, 8645 Stave Lake Street, Mission, B.C. V2V 4L9
Phone (604) 820-3752 Fax (604) 826-1363 g (604) 820-3715 Web Site: www.city.mission.bc.ca E-mail: khargreaves@mission.ca