Housing and Support for Adults with Severe Addictions and/or Mental Illness in British Columbia

In August 2006, the BC Ministry of Health – Mental Health and Addictions Branch asked the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA) at Simon Fraser University to provide up-to-date information with regard to the scope of homelessness in BC, recommended solutions and associated costs. CARMHA drew upon diverse sources of information including published literature, academic experts, decision-makers and key informants throughout BC in order to generate answers to some of the most pressing questions regarding the needs of this population. We hope that this report will provide the basis for constructive action to deal with the overlapping problems of homelessness and severe addictions and/or mental illness.