Better Together: neighbourhood collective action pilot program

Neighbourhood collective action tables (NCAT) are in place to support a strong neighbourhood-based approach for Better Together in Downtown South, Mount Pleasant, and Olympic Village. 

A successful NCAT will be a grassroots initiative that represents the diversity of the neighbourhood, is action-oriented, and provides a space for information sharing, collaboration, and relationship building. Table members will help design the direction of the NCAT to respond to specific neighbourhood priorities.

Collective action tables are meant to:

• Bring residents together in a formalized setting to increase awareness and collaborate on positive actions related to poverty, unsheltered homelessness, mental health, and addiction
• Convene a respectful conversation and explore ways to build an inclusive neighbourhood where everyone has the opportunity to lead safe and healthy lives
• Develop positive relationships between table members and facilitate shared learning amongst neighbours
• Identify and activate opportunities for community collaboration

We invite People with Lived and/or Living Experience (PWLE) in the Downtown South neighbourhood to apply to our resident round tables.

Members will be required to sign the Terms of Reference at the first meeting to confirm their participation.

To apply to join your neighbourhood table, complete the application form and email it to better.together@vancouver.ca.

Download the application form PDF file (172 KB)

Approved by Council on March 2, 2022, the program will work 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 include those related to the impacts of mental health, poverty, and unsheltered homelessness.

Better Together builds 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.

• 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

Our Homelessness Services Outreach Team (HSOT) will also enhance their support in the three pilot neighbourhoods and conduct morning outreach to connect people sleeping outdoors with support and facilitate access to services.

The program will also work with local non-profits to support low-barrier employment opportunities as well as provide education and training to community members in the pilot neighbourhoods on the impacts of trauma, colonialism, racism, gender based violence, poverty, and unsheltered homelessness.

• Better Together factsheet PDF file (211 KB)
• Council report (January 31, 2022) PDF file (187 KB)