The City of Vancouver plans to deliver a $10,500 boost to homeless programs set to run this fall and winter in several neighbourhoods.

The groups that would receive grant funding through council’s Homeless Action Plan include: the Carnegie Community Centre Association; Watari Youth, Community and Family Services; Collingwood Neighbourhood House; the Kitsilano Community Centre Association; and the Marpole Oakridge Area Council Society.

The funds would go toward a health fair, shower program, educational programming, and other events.

Adopted in 2005, the Homeless Action Plan aims to improve access to income, promote more supportive housing, and expand services for mental health and addictions.

Council is set to consider the grant-funding recommendation during a July 22 committee meeting.

Meanwhile, the city has started preparing for activities during the provincewide Homelessness Action Week, which will be held October 10 to 16.

“Homeless Action Week provides a unique opportunity to educate and make people aware of the causes of homelessness including the impact of living with mental health and addictions,” reads a city staff report.

In Vancouver, homeless count figures released in April show the number of homeless in the city has increased to 1,762 from 1,576 in 2008.

The count also shows the number of street homeless has dropped this year to 428 from the 811 counted in 2008, while the number of homeless in shelters has climbed to 1,334 from 765 in 2008.

This story was revised on July 19 to include more information about the homeless count in Vancouver.