ARCHIVED: Natural Gas Development
The British Columbia government will provide approximately $1.6 million this winter to fund close to 1,000 extreme weather shelter spaces to ensure those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have access to a safe and warm place to stay during nights of severe weather.
The additional spaces will be available in nearly 75 communities from now until March 31, 2017, when a community issues an extreme weather alert. Communities decide what weather conditions warrant an alert and how many spaces to activate on a given night, depending on the capacity of existing shelters and the estimated need.
These spaces supplement the almost 2,000 permanent, year-round shelter spaces available throughout the province. Most permanent shelter beds are available 24/7 and provide three meals a day.
The Province also funds outreach teams that work at winter shelters and on the street to help connect people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with housing and support services such as income assistance and mental health services.
Quotes:
Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing –
“Each winter, we work with communities and non-profit groups to make sure that anyone who wants to come inside for the night has a warm, safe place to go. Funding for these shelter spaces is part of the more than $200 million annually we invest in the province to provide emergency shelter spaces, subsidized units and rent supplements for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”
Jim Coggles, executive director, The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light –
“Living without a roof over your head is challenging enough without having to sleep outside in the bitter cold, high winds and heavy rain. These much needed additional beds don't just provide comfort, they offer refuge, and they help to save lives. Added to the 206 beds we provide every night throughout the winter months, these 30 extreme weather shelter beds will be activated during episodes of severe weather in downtown Vancouver. Each guest will be welcomed by our staff, a hot meal and the opportunity to experience hope and assistance toward positive change.”
Wes Hewitt, administrator, Port Alberni Shelter Society –
“The Extreme Weather Response Program is a well used addition to the services that we provide the community in partnership with BC Housing. It helps in times of increased needs for those vulnerable people that have nowhere else to go and are at risk due to the weather.”
Quick Facts:
- Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.9 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
- This year, more than 104,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
- Last year, the Province provided approximately $204 million to support more than 14,000 emergency shelter spaces, subsidized units and rent supplements for those who were homeless throughout British Columbia.
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
Follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC_Housing
A backgrounder follows.
