An Acute Response Team made up of provincial government members to address homelessness and emergency housing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay met for the first time this week.

Independent MHA for Lake Melville, Perry Trimper is one of a number of government members on the team.

He says the central Labrador area has seen a big increase in transient, or homeless people, many of whom are battling addiction.

In many cases the people are from the community, but are “living rough.”

He says Happy Valley-Goose Bay has always seen a few individuals living in that way over the years, but in the last year the numbers have increased dramatically, and the community is struggling to keep up. That includes concerns over public safety and addressing needs arising from the treatment of addictions. “Everyone is looking for help,” says Trimper.

There have been at least two deaths in the community in the last year that have helped to draw greater attention to the growing issue.

The goal of the formation of the team is to address housing, health and other support services for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.