The collective impact of group home programs operated dy several ministries is fei: locally.
With each ministry acting independently, there can be overlap in the search for facilities, in
locational choices and neighbourhood impact. Therefore. co-ordinaton among ministes and
with British Columbia Housing and Management Commission would be beneficial.

The GVED Social Issues Committee offers a forum for GVRD municipalities to discuss common
issues about group homes, to act as a resource to one another and to co-ordinate their efforts.
Two other groups which also have an interest in this issue of group homes are the UBCM and
the community care facilities licensing staff of local GVRD municipalities. The UBCM has
discussed the group home issue a number of times as a result of similar concerns expressed by
its members. Local community care licensing staff are actively involved in the group home
approval process. Both groups could provide valuable input to discussions on issues relating to

group homes.
CONCLUSION

The Social Issues Committee has prepared an inventory of licensed group homes in the GVRD.
A preliminary analysis of the number of facilities, beds, nature of clients and geographical
distribution has been undertaken.

The Committee has also identified elements of a community education program which could be
developed in co-operation with local communities.

The Social Issues Committee is recommending that the Provincial Government take on the
inventory and expand it to include unlicensed facilities, 2s well as undertake the community
education program. A pilot community education project could be considered.

The Social Issues Committee offers to serve as a rescurce group to provincial saff and
encourages consultation with both the UBCM and locel GVRD community care facilities
licensing staff.