This winter, Vancouver’s most vulnerable individuals will have access to a warm and safe place to stay at a number of additional shelters.

The B.C. government will provide approximately $1.2 million and the City of Vancouver will contribute $500,000 for 192 winter response shelter spaces.

The following locations will operate until the end of March or April 2017, and most will be open 24/7:

• 134 E Cordova (40 beds) – open
• 119 E Cordova (30 beds) – open
• 49 W Cordova (30 beds) – open
• 1648 East 1st (40 beds) – open
• 1138 Burrard (12 beds for youth only) – open
• 1401 Hornby (40 beds) – opening Dec. 1

The City is ensuring the shelters are properly equipped before opening and non-profit partners are responsible for day-to-day operations.

Clients at the winter shelters will be provided with meals, have access to health services and be directed to programs that can assist in finding more permanent, stable housing.

The provincially-funded Carnegie Outreach Team will also connect with homeless people currently sleeping outside, to ensure they are aware of the shelters in their areas, and the programs and supports available.

The winter response shelters are in addition to 957 permanent, year-round shelter spaces in Vancouver.

Quotes:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing –

“Shelters play a key role in addressing homelessness in the province. These shelters will do more than provide a warm place to stay during the winter months – staff will help connect people who are homeless with support services and stable housing.”

Mayor Gregor Robertson, City of Vancouver –

“Emergency winter shelters fill a critical gap in making sure people are connected with outreach workers and services that will support transition into safe, stable, permanent housing. These winter shelters aren’t a permanent solution, but by providing meals, a warm place to sleep, and connecting residents with health services, our partnership with the Province is a first step in making a real difference in getting people off the streets and into more permanent homes.”

Greg Richmond, co-executive director, RainCity Housing –

“We’re looking forward to building relationships with people who’ve been living on the street and connecting them with services and permanent housing. Each year we work together with our neighbours and maintain healthy partnerships in each community.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested approximately $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 over $26 million for more than 950 permanent, year-round shelter spaces in Vancouver.
• Last year, close to $110 million was spent to support more than 6,930 housing units for those who were homeless or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver.
• Provincially, the B.C. government provided approximately $72 million in funding last year for close to 2,000 permanent, year-round shelter beds in 34 communities.

Learn More:

To learn more about provincial programs and services to address homelessness, please visit: www.bchousing.org

To learn more about services and supports for the homeless in Vancouver, please visit: http://www.housingmattersbc.ca/docs/fs_Homeless%20Supports_Vancouver.pdf

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

For more information on the City of Vancouver Winter Response Shelter Strategy: http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/winter-response-shelter-strategy.aspx

Follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC_Housing (twitter.com)