BCNPHA in the News

News Release: BCNPHA’s virtual event explores affordable housing issues alongside COVID-19, opioid crises

VANCOUVER, BC (June 15, 2020) – For BC’s non-profit housing providers, the COVID-19 pandemic created tremendous challenges: keeping tenants safe and sociallydistanced; decreasing revenue; staff shortages; lack of personal protective equipment; new cleaning protocols; supporting tenants with mental health and addiction challenges; and, many more.

On Tuesday, June 16 BC Non-Profit Housing Association will welcome more than 400 housing leaders for the Regional Education, Networking & Tradeshow (RENT) event to discuss these and many other issues in the first province-wide virtual gathering for the affordable housing sector. From their homes and offices, participants will meet online for a day of education and professional development to tackle the new challenges facing our sector.

VIRTUAL RENT PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, will speak at our mid-day plenary pop-up (11:45 a.m. to noon)
  • Emergency preparedness panel at our morning plenary featuring Janice Abbott, CEO of Atira Women’s Resource Society, Rosanna McGregor, Executive Director of the Cariboo Friendship Society and Elysia Dempsey, Provincial Director – BC & Yukon of the Canadian Red Cross Disaster Management Program (8:45 to 10 a.m.)
  • Education sessions including:
    • Safe Drug Supply and COVID-19 in Non-Profit Housing – discussion on the call for a safe, regulated drug supply, supporting tenants while maintaining social distancing and the risk of overdoses given isolation protocols
    • Dialogue with Shayne Ramsay – BC Housing CEO discusses the sector’s response to COVID-19, gaps in the housing system and plans for future phases of the pandemic
    • The Key to Safety –increase in reports of violence against women during the pandemic, and how organizations can respond effectively
    • Tenant Engagement – two sessions exploring how housing providers can ensure their residents are staying connected and safe during the pandemic
    • Asset Management – sessions explore modular construction, capital planning, zero-energy buildings and more

Media are welcome to join us for all or part of the day to attend sessions or connect with members and/or presenters.

When:                  Tuesday, June 16th, 2020                                8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where:                 Please RSVP to communications@bcnpha.ca to receive RENT event access login.

Contact:               Dean Pogas, Director of Communications at 604-363-6590 or dean@bcnpha.ca

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