The Crosswalk shelter has relocated to a renovated building to provide a safe and warm place for street homeless men and women to seek shelter during the evenings.

Located at 136 E. Cordova St. in Vancouver, the Crosswalk offers year-round, co-ed shelter for up to 36 men and women. The new building has heightened security features, dorm rooms and larger washrooms with showers. The shelter is open from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and serves two meals per day.

The B.C. government provides annual operational funding of over $470,000 for The Crosswalk shelter. The Salvation Army has fundraised more than $31,000 for the renovations to the new location.

The shelter is owned and operated by The Salvation Army, which also operates three additional shelter facilities, providing a total of 186 shelter beds on E. Cordova. Nearby support services offered by The Salvation Army include a detox centre, residential drug and alcohol treatment programs, computer and life skills training opportunities, health care, community church, food-line service and a drop-in centre accessible to those in need.

Quotes:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing -

"Our government is working with experienced partners, such as The Salvation Army, to ensure shelters are available in Vancouver and across the province for people living on the streets. I commend The Salvation Army for their efforts to help our most vulnerable people get back on their feet by providing a warm bed, meals and staff that truly care."

Captain Jim Coggles, The Salvation Army -

"Homelessness is still a growing problem nationally despite increased awareness. The reasons people are without a home go well beyond finances. The Salvation Army is here to assist the suffering, the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. It is our aim to help them become self-sufficient and independent through the reduction of physical, emotional, social and spiritual barriers. We want people coming through The Crosswalk shelter to feel safe and find hope."

Quick Facts:

• There are more than 5,350 year-round emergency shelter spaces, subsidized units and rent supplements throughout the Vancouver Coastal Region for those who are homeless. Annual provincial funding is more than $107 million.

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.2 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 97,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.

• In 2011-12, the B.C. government invested approximately $142.6 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 25,800 households in Vancouver.

Learn More:

To learn more about programs and services offered by The Salvation Army, please visit: www.salvationarmy.ca/britishcolumbia

Contact:

Seumas Gordon
BC Housing
604 439-4789
604 417-5791 (cell)