Thin Ice: New-Era Conditions for Our Community

The climate of uncertainty that is now pervasive
throughout the Capital Region’s social service
agencies is leaving the entire community on thin
ice when it comes to being able to support and
care for our most vulnerable citizens.

This is the third report in ongoing research looking at the impacts of
provincial government policy changes on the social service agencies of BC’s
Capital Region and the persons they serve.

The data for this report was collected from 24 agencies for the period
between July and December, 2003.
This Summary Report outlines some of the key findings of our researchers.

• Almost 90% (21/24) of agencies reported that the
number of clients who were highly stressed and
uncertain about the future continued to grow.

• Almost 80% (19/24) of agencies saw a higher number
of clients with their basic survival needs – for food,
shelter and medical care – unmet.

• 38% (9/24) of agencies saw higher levels of violence
among clients because of their increasing desperation,
and about 17% (4/24) found increased levels of
homelessness, including families with children.

• Agency staff who provided emergency services began
to see more and more “average” people - those who
previously wouldn’t have needed these services but
were now out of work, had used up their savings, and
were unable to find other resources.

• At the same time, several agencies had to modify (58%,
14/24) or cut (17%, 4/24) programs and services for
their clients because of decreased provincial funding
and/or funding uncertainties.

• Some agencies had relative stability in services and
funding during this period; two-thirds (16/24) reported
negative changes in their agencies that were linked to
provincial changes; one-third (8/24) reported no
change, or changes unrelated to provincial changes.

For the full Report visit: Thin Ice: New-Era Conditions for Our Community

For more information contact:

Community Social Planning Council
of Greater Victoria

1144 Fort Street, Victoria BC V8V 3K8

Tel: (250) 383-6166

Fax: (250) 385-6712

E-mail: info@communitycouncil.ca

Community Council

Bringing people together
to create effective community solutions.

Supported by members, the United Way of Greater Victoria, contracted services
and the municipalities of Esquimalt,
Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria.