Advocacy, Housing and Prevention Services
Our Services
Sources Advocacy, Housing and Prevention Services is comprised of several mental health, disability and poverty-related programs based out of Sources Newton Resource Centre in Surrey. Our programs include:
- Mental Health Advocacy
- Poverty Law Program
- Ask An Advocate
- Housing First
- Homelessness Prevention Services
- Rent Bank (go to page)
Please click on the drop-down bars below for more information about each program.
These programs are funded by the Fraser Health Authority, the Law Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Provincial Government of B.C.
- Mental Health and Poverty Law Advocacy
Sources Advocacy Programs offer support for matters relating to income assistance, provincial and federal disability benefits, other federal income support programs, tenancy and debt.
Mental Health Advocacy
This program is designed to provide information, support and reliable legal advocacy to individuals and their families who self-identify as needing mental health services. We offer:
Income Assistance - Rights and responsibilities
- Accessing benefits
- Disability
- Appeals and representation at tribunals
- Communication
Housing - Tenant rights and responsibilities
- Mediation with landlords
- Dispute resolution hearings
Federal Income Related Programs - Assistance with applications and appeals for Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits
Publications and Education - Information workshops, presentations and written materials to the general public and service providers
Services are currently available to individuals living in the Fraser Region including New Westminster, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Delta, White Rock, Langley, Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, and the Hope area.
Email: mentalhealthadvocacy@sourcesbc.ca
Intake: 778-735-1368
Poverty Law Program
This program provides reliable quality poverty law legal services to the diverse B.C. public. Our goal is to ensure fair access to income support programs and services through information, support and one-on-one advocacy in the following areas:
Income Assistance - Rights and responsibilities
- Accessing benefits
- Disability
- Appeals and representation at tribunals
Housing - Tenant rights and responsibilities
- Mediation with landlords
- Dispute resolution hearings
Federal Income Related Programs - Assistance with access and appeals for Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits and other federal income programs
- Employment Insurance
Public Education - Information workshops, presentations and written materials to the general public
Services are also available in Punjabi.
- Ask An Advocate
Ask An Advocate
Ask An Advocate is a website with basic and clear information about disability benefits (provincial and federal), income assistance, tenancy, employment insurance, and other income support programs; to empower people to self-advocate.
On the website it showcases information through various platforms such as videos, FAQs, fact sheets, useful forms, updates/news, and links to other services and resources. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on the website there is an option to email/Life Chat one of their advocates that will provide you some answers and information to meet your needs.
Additionally, Ask An Advocate provide training to community service providers, who provide assistance to individuals trying to access these types of benefits or are dealing with tenancy-related issues.
The live chat is the newest feature of the website which allows for instant messaging with an eager advocate who’s ready to reply to questions you may have. The live chat is available Monday-Friday from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (not including statutory holidays).
- Housing and Homelessness Prevention
HOUSING
Assisting homeless individuals to find safe and affordable housing and offering ongoing support (re. income supports, benefits, tenancy, other supports) to assist them to remain housed. Services include Housing First for chronically and episodically homeless individuals.
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION
Supporting individuals to maintain housing through advocacy and facilitated access to resources. Sources Rent Bank also offers micro-loans for rental and utility arrears, damage deposits and first month’s rent.
Contact Information
Hours of Operation
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Monday – Friday | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm |