The Sunshine Coast’s Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter for the homeless will be open every night from now until March 31st.
BC Housing came forward with extra funding November 20th, after an outcry from the community when a homeless man died sleeping outdoors, on a night the shelter was not able to open.
But more important than the money, BC Housing is helping with some expertise.
Kelly Foley of the Sunshine Coast Homelessness Advisory Committee says staff from Vancouver’s Portland Housing Society arrived on the weekend to help the shelter open for the night of the 21st.
“It’s been quite overwhelming, this last few days, the outpouring of support,” she says. “And really, it’s quite commendable how quickly BC Housing have reacted to the death of Harry.”
Foley says the long-term goal is still to forge a partnership with an organization that’s equipped to run the shelter on a more permanent basis. The search for that partner got underway shortly after the 2104/15 season.
She also says the shelter is still welcoming community fundraising efforts to help cover extra costs, and they’re in need of volunteers.
You can contact the Committee on e-mail: schomelesscommittee “at” gmail.com
