”We are pleased to see organizations such as Home For The Games creating such unique community partnerships to raise money in support of ending homelessness in Vancouver. It is through the hard work and support of community initiatives like this that our goal of ensuring that all Vancouver citizens have access to safe, decent and affordable housing by 2015 can be realized.”
–Jae Kim, President, Streetohome Foundation
2010 home stay organization gains ground with endorsement from Vancouver City Council
October 26, 2009
VANCOUVER, BC
Vancouver City Council, at its October 20 meeting, passed a motion supporting Home For The Games, a new non-profit organization enabling Metro Vancouverites to help fight homelessness while hosting 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games visitors. Through homeforthegames.com, citizens can host Games visitors from around the world, with proceeds going to charities tackling homelessness.
The motion acknowledges Home For The Games' efforts to help the city’s most vulnerable citizens and provide a solution to the Winter Games accommodation shortage. It also pledges the City of Vancouver’s support in promoting the organization’s efforts.
“Support by Vancouver City Council assists us in harnessing the energy of the Games to aid our city’s most vulnerable people and encourages citizens to make a difference by opening their doors to Olympic visitors,” said Tracey Axelsson, acting project manager with Home For The Games. “We’re fostering a spirit of sharing and giving though a cultural exchange, creating a meaningful and memorable Olympic experience for visitors and hosts, while addressing a top-of-mind issue in our city,”
Home For The Games is a non-profit web-based system that matches 2010 Winter Games visitors with Metro Vancouver hosts for short-term home stays, with half of the nightly fee directed to charitable organizations–Streetohome Foundation and Covenant House Vancouver–to projects alleviating homelessness.
Home For The Games launched in August with the endorsement of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Councillor Suzanne Anton. Tuesday’s motion by Vancouver City Council reinforces the synergy between the efforts of the City of Vancouver and Home For The Games to eliminate homelessness, and helps citizens support the cause by opening their homes to visitors from around the world.
“Residents, non profits, businesses and governments all need to join in the efforts to make reducing homelessness a priority. Home For The Games is taking an innovative approach to addressing this important issue. I commend their work and encourage home owners to support this unique opportunity by opening their homes to Games visitors," Councillor Ellen Woodsworth.
The program both fuels and rewards generosity: Hosts can set their own rates and will receive a tax receipt for the portion of the home stay fee that goes to charity. Hosts also receive a discount on short-term rental insurance from BCAA Insurance, a program sponsor. There’s no fee to list or book a room on the Home For The Games website.
“I applaud the work the organizers of Home For The Games have done in leveraging the Games to help those who are most in need," said Mayor Robertson. "Home For The Games is a great way for people to make a contribution towards ending homelessness in Vancouver as we host the world in 2010, and it’s an inspiring example of a positive community legacy from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”
“Our goal is to raise $750,000 through rental fees and donations, and we invite people with a room to rent in their home to help us reach this goal. Thanks to the support of Vancouver City Council and the citizens of the city, we’re gaining ground on our mission to help fight homelessness,” said Axelsson.
“People in Vancouver are both wonderful hosts and philanthropic at heart, and I hope they will take advantage of this opportunity by supporting Home For The Games,” said Councillor Anton.
To learn more how more about Home For The Games and how you can get involved, look through the website.
About Home For The Games
Home For The Games is a non-profit web-based system to match 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games visitors with Metro Vancouver hosts for short-term home stays with half of the nightly fee directed to charitable organizations tackling homelessness. Home For The Games is building a legacy of a different sort: creating opportunities for people to share an unforgettable Olympic experience with guests from around the world while earning modest rental income. At the same time, half of home-stay “rent” will go directly to registered charities helping Metro Vancouver’s most vulnerable citizens. There’s no fee to list or book a room on the Home For The Games website. Hosts can set their own rates and will receive a tax receipt for the portion of the home stay fee that goes to charity. Funds raised through home stay fees will be directed to Streetohome Foundation and Covenant House Vancouver. For more information, please look through the site.
About Streetohome Foundation
Streetohome is a community-based foundation dedicated to reducing homelessness through housing and support services in the City of Vancouver. Streetohome brings together partners across the community to pool their energy and resources to provide supportive, safe, affordable, clean housing. Through Streetohome, corporate leaders, non-profits and government are working together to develop real, sustainable change. Current initiatives include funding and facilitating the creation of housing for people who are homeless, including supportive housing for homeless mothers and babies. Funds raised through Home For The Games will support an innovative project to help address homelessness among people with mental illness spearheaded by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. The four-year pilot project will help them secure housing while ensuring they receive access to integrated treatment and services. For more information, please visit www.streetohome.org
About Covenant House
Covenant House Vancouver exists for young people who often have no on else–people between the ages of 16 and 24 who have fled physical, emotional or sexual abuse or have been forced from their homes. Primarily privately funded, Covenant House relies on the generosity of over 50,000 individuals and organizations to provide shelter, food, clothing and counselling to over 2,000 young people each year. Funds raised through Home For The Games will directly support the shelter housing these street-engaged youth. For more information visit www.covenanthousebc.org
