Extra shelter spaces open in time for wet, cold weather
Posted November 12, 2017 5:35 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Cold, rainy weather is in the forecast for the next week, which makes life hard for people living on Vancouver’s streets.
The Union Gospel Mission is opening its doors to help. They’ve opened 20 emergency winter shelter spaces and Jeremy Hunka with the Mission says this is the first time these spaces have been available right through the winter, not just during weather alerts.
“But the growing need, coupled with the unpredictabiltiy of the weather, has led us just to decide to open it for several months on end,” he says. “Because the weather is dangerous, it’s going to catch people off guard.”
He says having a warm space will be a huge comfort.
“They’re comfortable mats, you’ll get bedding, you’ll get breakfast along with that, you’ll also have access to regular services like a case manager, who can work to connect people to housing.”
He expects it to be a busy winter and have been bursting at the seams.
“We hate turnaways, so we’re going to open these extra spaces in hopes of minimize that, during the difficult months ahead.”
The shelter will be open every night through March and the organization says in addition to a place to sleep, homeless guests will be offered breakfast and access to case managers who can help them find housing.
