BCers in need of a warm, safe place to stay during the cold, wet winter months will have access to additional emergency shelter spaces this year.
That’s according to the Province of BC, as local partners provide thousands of temporary shelter spaces and over 350 extreme weather response shelter spaces.
In Campbell River, the Vancouver Island Mental Health Society operates a 20-bed temporary shelter at 1221 Cedar St. It’s open to people 19 years and older, with an expected closing date of March 31, 2022.
“These emergency shelter programs are made possible through partnerships with communities and non-profit groups,” the Province said in a Nov. 4 release, noting more shelters may be added throughout the winter when needed.
A BC Housing shelter map also pinpoints a year-round shelter at 690 Evergreen Rd., operated by the Salvation Army, open to people 19 and older.
As well, extreme weather response shelters (EMS), which typically open each year from Nov. 1 until March 31, are available overnight when a community issues an extreme weather alert.
However, there’s currently no extreme weather shelter in Campbell River. That said, the Campbell River Coalition to End Homelessness (CRCEH) is advocating for one but has yet to find a suitable location.
Last month, CRCEH coordinator Stefanie Hendrickson said extreme weather shelters really go a long way, especially with the windy, wet weather the island is accustomed to.
“People are often going to sleep in equipment that’s already wet from the previous night, which becomes a very dangerous situation for illness, injury, and even death,” she told My Campbell River.
If a solution is not found, Hendrickson said it will be the first time in recent history that Campbell River is not able to provide an EMS, leaving unhoused locals even more vulnerable this winter.
On Nov. 1, city council received correspondence from Hendrickson, requesting the City provide a staff liaison to work with the coalition, and to provide a location and staff for an extreme weather shelter. Listen back on Monday’s discussion here.
