The Government of British Columbia is investing $220,000 to expand Chilliwack’s temporary winter shelter, increasing the number of shelter beds in the city. The Province will also provide additional rent supplements to the community to assist those who are homeless, or at risk, with finding affordable housing.

The Salvation Army’s temporary winter shelter will increase from 11 beds to 30, providing more people with an opportunity to access a safe and warm place to sleep. An additional five beds will also be made available during extreme weather conditions.

Located at 45746 Yale Rd., the facility will provide secure overnight storage for clients’ personal items. Support staff and case planners are also available to connect clients with permanent housing, health services and other supports.

The Province will once again be funding Ruth and Naomi’s 16-bed extreme weather response shelter during the winter season. The shelter opens during extreme weather conditions such as cool temperatures and heavy rain.

In advance of the forecasted storm, both shelters are set to open this weekend, providing homeless people residing in tents in various areas around Chilliwack’s downtown core with much-needed warmth and safety.

To help move homeless individuals out of shelters, the Province has agreed to provide 10 additional rent supplements to outreach workers in Chilliwack. They will work with homeless individuals to find long-term stable housing.

Quotes:

John Martin, MLA for Chilliwack –

“Opening additional shelter space is a key step in addressing homelessness in our community, especially when the weather threatens the health and safety of those in need. We will continue to work with our partners to help people who are homeless transition to stable, permanent housing.”

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope –

“Thank you to the Salvation Army and Ruth and Naomi’s for stepping forward to partner with the Province to help those in need as the seasons change, bringing cold and harsh weather. It is important to have these extra spaces while we work to find long-term solutions to help everyone in our communities.”

Mayor Sharon Gaetz, City of Chilliwack –

“As a council, we hope that all individuals in Chilliwack and B.C. will have an opportunity to be housed and have long discussed this need with our MLAs. We are pleased that the Province is seeking long-term solutions. Thank you to the Minister Responsible for Housing and BC Housing for providing for an immediate and urgent need in our community. We are grateful for their priority to work with homeless individuals to find long-term stable housing.”

Tim Bohr, executive director, The Salvation Army –

“The Salvation Army is pleased to partner with BC Housing in response to our current homeless crisis with these 30 additional temporary shelter beds. We trust that those affected by homelessness in our community will benefit from this compassionate response and initiative.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.9 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• More than 104,000 B.C. households benefit from a diverse range of provincial housing programs and services.
• Last year, the Province invested more than $7 million to support subsidized housing and emergency shelters for low-income residents and the homeless in Chilliwack.

Learn More:

For more information on affordable housing programs and the province’s efforts to end homelessness in B.C., please visit: www.housingmattersbc.ca/factsheets.html and www.bchousing.org

To see a map of permanent and temporary shelters in B.C., please visit: http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Emergency_Housing/Map