The B.C. government is funding 10 extreme weather shelter spaces in Merritt this winter to help people whose health and safety may be threatened by cold, wet weather.

The Nicola Valley Extreme Weather Response Shelter, located at 2038 Nicola Ave., will offer temporary shelter space when an extreme weather alert is activated by the community.

The temporary spaces will be available from now until March 31, 2017. 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.

The Province also funds outreach teams to help connect people with a range of services such as housing, health care and community supports. Last year, more than 7,100 people in B.C. were connected to housing, income assistance and a range of support services by provincially-funded homeless outreach and shelter workers.

Quote:

Jackie Tegart, MLA for Fraser Nicola –

 “The demand for a safe and dry place to sleep increases as soon as winter weather sets in and we need these temporary spaces to complement our existing permanent facilities.”

Quick Facts:

• Throughout the province, the B.C. government will provide approximately $1.6 million this winter to make close to 1,000 extreme weather shelter spaces available in nearly 75 communities.
• 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.
• 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.

Learn More:

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 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

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