ImmigrantLegal.ca

The Ministry of Housing and Social Development (MHSD) focuses on the customer by transforming the way they deliver services in employment and assistance, using effective and outcome-based practices, and working in collaboration with ministries, other levels of government and service agencies. In carrying out its mission, the Ministry of Housing and Social Development is guided by the following principles: personal responsibility, active participation, innovative partnerships, citizen confidence, fairness and transparency, clear outcomes, and accountability for results.

In their Surrey North office, mental health workers and probation officers are available to provide services to clients in need of services. The Front Room in Surrey is a drop-in centre where outreach workers from MHSD work with local housing staff and BC Housing to help find suitable accommodations for homeless people, assist clients in filling out MHSD documents, provide resource information and assist people with completing an application for Income Assistance.

Phoenix, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility located across from Surrey Memorial Hospital houses an outreach worker from MHSD to assist and support people who are on Income Assistance or those who may need to apply for Income Assistance. In addition, they provide resource and referral information to a variety of community services for the residents of this facility.

For clients accessing services from MHSD who have a language barrier, MHSD provides professional translators from DIVERSEcity to assist with the application process. Upon assessment, women fleeing domestic violence are provided with resources and supports to ensure their safety is addressed in a timely manner. MHSD also provides translation services for clients who are deaf.