THE CORPORATION OF THE
CITY OF PORT COQUITLAN |

REPORT TO COUNCIL FEB - 1 1994

J. Maitland Date: February 3, 1994
Acting City Administrator File: GVRD Social Issues Subcommittee

Carles Felip
Director of Planning

"Group Homes in Greater Vancouver" - A Paper

Prepared By the GVRD Social Issues Subcommittee
Planning and Development Committee — February 1, 1994
Plaming and Development Committee - January 25, 1994
Referred Back to Plamig by Council —- January 10, 1994
Planning and Development Committee — January 4, 1994

KECOMMENDATION =

That the Province be informed that the City of Port Coquitlam supports the
position of the Social Issues Subcommittee in its paper, “Group Homes in
Greater Vancouver", provided that:

1. The Province take a coordinated approach to the planning and
establishment of group homes and maintain communication with
municipalities;

Any Community Education Program that is developed should be financed
and operated by the Province, and kept simple;

The Province ensures that all municipalities assume a fair share of
group home facilities; and

The Province provide municipalities with necessary funding for the
establishment of services and opportunities for persons with special
needs.

BACKGROUND:

The trend of de-ingtitutionalization and the establishment of group homes
within local communities is an issue of concern in the Lower Mainland. This
continued downloading of Provincial responsibilities means that communities
such as Port Coquitlam will have to respond to neighbourhood concerns
regarding group homes and assist in providing facilities and services for
group home residents.

The GVRD Social Issues Subcommittee recently prepared a report entitled
"Group Homes in Greater Va:.couver"™ to identify the number of facilities within

the Lower Mainland and to identify weaknesses in communication between local
and senior levels of government. The report is attached as Appendix I.

The GVRD Board has referred the report to member munic i ese ny iting
them to review the report and forward comments directly t yo 4

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