Community Vitality 2023 - Unity Project
Community Vitality 2023
Unity Project
Transforming Unity Project with Pallet Shelters
Grant: $270,000 for 3 years
The lack of affordable housing, coupled with various economic and social factors, has led to a growing number of individuals and families finding themselves without a place to call home.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this issue, leading to a significant increase in the number of people without stable housing. As a result, shelters and support services have become overwhelmed, struggling to meet the surging demand for emergency accommodations and assistance.
One local organization that has witnessed a substantial increase in demand for its services during the pandemic is the Unity Project. They operate with a peer-supported community model that aims to address the homelessness crisis, and they are recognized as leaders in adapting Housing First principles in emergency situations. Their inclusive approach prioritizes low-barrier access, culturally sensitive spaces, on-site health supports, and intensive case management to meet the unique needs of each participant on their journey toward stable housing.
The three-year $270,000 grant will support Unity Project’s indoor and outdoor Housing First emergency shelter program as they transition to new facilities. This funding will enable them to maximize their emergency shelter's capacity by creating an all-gender inclusive shelter with exterior pallet shelter cabins and interior retrofits. Additionally, the grant will support an evaluation that aims to assess the effectiveness of the pallet cabins as a solution for rapid, safe, and accessible emergency shelter. The findings from this evaluation will have significant implications for the development of homeless prevention systems and services, both locally and internationally.
Silva Langer, Unity Project’s Development Director elaborates on how the funding will contribute to advancing our understanding and practice of housing-outcome focused emergency responses., “This experience will elevate our knowledge and expertise, lending credibility to Unity Project’s voice in advocacy for humane public policy and informing our collaboration in homeless prevention system solutions which are developing in our community.”
Find out more about the Community Vitality Grant program at LCF and Unity Project. You can also listen to our podcast with Chuck Lazenby, Unity Project’s Executive Director.
Read about the other grantees: