Two new temporary shelters for Vancouver's homeless are already at capacity

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The City of Vancouver has opened two new temporary shelters for the city's homeless. One is on East Broadway, the other on Granville Street. But with such a high demand for shelters during the rainy months, both facilities are already at capacity.

Vancouver City Councillor Kerry Jang admits it's a struggle to keep up. "There's a need for housing and just a safe place to go.  So we do have a shortage and clearly there's a need."

Jang adds two new shelters will be opening in Kitsilano and the West End in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Sean Spear with RainCity Housing says some big changes have been made to the new shelters. "The shelters are open 24 hours.  So the shelter folk we're serving have access to washrooms around the clock.  There's a minimum of two staff on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That's really helpful."

He says a reservation system has also been set up to avoid lineups and those using the facility are able to leave their pets and shopping carts in a secured place. Spear also says RainCity is doing all it can to reassure the shelters' neighbours that security won't be a concern.