How the Fire Donation Money Was Spent
By North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society
The volunteer Board of the North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society (NSDRS) spent the last five months reviewing applications for support from uninsured or severely underinsured wildfire victims to make decisions how best to distribute donations from the Community Foundation, the North Shuswap Community Hall Society and numerous power poles donated by Stella Jones. The NSDRS believes it is important to be transparent and report back to the community on how donated funds have been allocated so far.
49 families, representing 91 family members, contacted NSDRS for assistance. $575,000 in financial commitments have been made to directly assist 30 families (71% of applicants). Pending requests raises the total to $667,000 for 34 families. By next month we hope to have provided appropriate assistance for 40 families.
We are aware of approximate 53 families in need and there are still a few families we are currently working with to find a solution that really works for them. In the long run, NSDRS will need about $200,000 in additional funding to assist some of next year’s projects.
The following is a quick summary of how families asked us to help with their needs:
6 needed some utilities to connect to their home which did not burn
4 will have a Mennonite Disaster Services home built in 2024
5 may have a Mennonite Disaster Services home built in 2025
4 are rebuilding their own homes with some financial assistance from NSDRS
1 family has put a mortgage on a mobile home
1 could have rebuilt but elected not to and move elsewhere for personal reasons
6 may not be able to return home due to the lack of social housing in the Shuswap
7 lived in the trailer court and need newer mobile homes to be able to return – The purchase of a mobile by NSDRS is not possible as we do not have sufficient resources. These families need government assistance, a social agency or another funder to provide financial assistance for alternative affordable housing.
2 lived in older mobile homes on rented land that is no longer available
2 lived in a travel trailer on their own land, which was replaced and are back home
6 have found new places to reside in a travel trailer and will move there.
6 have made no decision to date (waiting for some things to fall in place)
The Shuswap Community Foundation is still collecting funds for wildfire support so please give if you are able. https://shuswapfoundation.ca/ The NSDRS could use a little extra help.
As an aside: The Red Cross has a ‘one time housing program’ for families without insurance that are not at home. We referred 34 families to the program and we understand that those eligible each received a $5000 grant, or about $200,000 to residents of the North Shuswap, for home, clothing, food, or rent needs after ESS support ended.
