A group of people sitting in chairs, forming a circle around a woman standing at the front of the room

Better Together: neighbourhood collective action pilot program

Pilot neighbourhoods

Better Together was a 2-year pilot that took place in 3 neighbourhoods:

Downtown South
Olympic Village
Mount Pleasant

Between 2022 and 2024, we undertook a neighbourhood-based pilot program to bring communities together to collectively problem-solve issues related to poverty, unsheltered homelessness, mental health, and addiction.

Better Together's goal was to increase awareness, collaborate on solutions, improve the sense of belonging, and develop positive relationships.

The Better Together Pilot's 2-year term came to a close March 31, 2024.

Program information

Addressing community challenges

Approved by Council on March 2, 2022, the program worked with local residents, including those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, businesses, and community stakeholders to create a proactive approach to addressing community challenges.

Recognizing many circumstances are rooted in trauma associated with colonialism, racism, and gender-based violence, and reinforced through the same, priority issues included those related to the impacts of mental health, poverty, and unsheltered homelessness.

Better Together was built upon the former Neighbourhood Integrated Service Team (NIST) and the current Community Advisory Committees (CAC) models. City staff act as key contacts by facilitating connections, tracking responses, and solving problems to foster effective communication and positive relationships between service providers and businesses.
Key parts to the pilot
- Neighbourhood collective action tables: Increase communication and information sharing
- Peer stewardship program: Extra support for businesses and people in the neighbourhood
- Education and training: Build skills and confidence to improve communication and understanding
- Outreach and coordination: Additional support for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness
- Neighbourhood cleanliness: Enhance sanitation through existing micro-cleaning grants to non-profits
Documents
- Better Together factsheet (211 KB)
- Council report (January 31, 2022) (187 KB)