When Nancy McLean saw her neighbours struggling without housing, she did not wait for government programs – she built her own solution.
The Creston resident is launching a community-led rental assistance program that pairs people willing to help with those trying to get back on their feet.
For McLean, the idea started with a simple question: why couldn’t her community do something similar to sponsorship programs she had seen elsewhere?
“I first thought of this idea when I saw a World Vision ad on TV and I thought, ‘why couldn’t we do this for our unhoused folks in Creston? Something like a sponsorship program where Creston citizens can contribute monthly in the form of pledges to subsidize an unhoused person’s rent until they can get on their feet.’”
That’s when she got to work, designing a proposal for a program aimed at people motivated to help themselves.
“This would be for those who have demonstrated a desire to help themselves. Otherwise, there is no chance for success. So I bounced this idea off a few people, and they seemed really interested in the idea,” McLean said.
Over the past few years, McLean has built relationships with Creston’s small unhoused population, many of whom she now considers friends.
“Being around our unhoused folks over the course of two years, you get to know them and care about them,” she said, pointing to the daily drop-in lunch program at Trinity United Church as a place where those relationships were built.
“It’s an opportunity to interact with everyone there and on the street when you see them on the street. So I knew this could work for Creston as we personally know our folks and their habits, good and bad, which allows us to create a tailor-made solution for each individual.”
Through those interactions, McLean’s idea grew, especially once she realized how many other community members also wanted to help but didn’t know how.
“I know there are so many people in Creston who want to help, they just don’t know what to do. So this program gives a concrete, tangible, measurable way to help, and you will see the people that you are helping.”
Her proposed approach combines pledges with mentorship and followup support, designed to protect property owners and support people who are struggling.
“There will be rules to follow and regular follow-up with the tenant. We are not just finding accommodation and then abandoning them to the landlord. We want to achieve success for everyone – the tenant, the landlord, the donors and the community.”
McLean initially shared the idea with peers informally, then organized a community presentation to gauge interest.
“I invited 25, 30 came. The proposal received unanimous support and was backed up with a substantial amount of pledges.”
Those pledges have continued to grow and now total $14,000.
Creston town council endorsed the idea in January, and the initiative is already showing results.
McLean said four men have signed on to the program, secured housing and are set to move in by the end of the month.
“I have invoices from the landlords just waiting for cheques. We are ready to go. By month end, two tents will be dismantled, one couch will be abandoned, and one bank entry will be cleared of a sleeping person,” she said.
“We have the funds to help them with the first month’s rent and they will be in places that suit their budget so they can move in with dignity and a few bucks in their pocket for any supplies they will need.”
After the first month, McLean said the hope is that all four men will be financially self-sufficient on their incomes, and some are already giving back to the community.
“One has already given back by cooking a meal for the drop-in lunch volunteers. Two of the other guys helped with a cleanup I helped organize and there were over 18 volunteers they served a meal very proudly to,” said McLean.
“To see them thrive like that is just incredible. I am confident that they will be in a position to give back to the community in a short time.”
She added that the assistance aims to remove barriers that have nothing to do with income.
“Some unhoused people have the income, but they don’t have a credit card. They don’t have an address. Sometimes they don’t even have ID,” she said.
“And there are subsidies out there, like B.C. Housing has the SAFER grant for seniors. But if you don’t have a place, you don’t qualify. So once they’re in place and that comes into effect very quickly.”
The initiative also reflects McLean’s belief in community-driven solutions.
“I don’t believe in waiting for government bodies or whatever to do this. I think we can do it ourselves, and then we can create success by tailoring our solution to each individual. That is how you’re going to achieve success.”
Looking ahead, McLean said she hopes the program motivates participants to take steps toward a better life, while also showing the community that change is possible.
“We will encourage strategies to motivate individuals to want a better life for themselves. And if they demonstrate that, the community will be there to support them.”
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Team West!
MARK LAMB GETS THE WEST! 
