The City of Nanaimo says they are once again providing funding for three more additional daytime warming centres as the temperatures continue to drop.
According to a media release, the centres will provide refuge to approximately 138 unsheltered individuals where they can access basic needs and services this season.
The city has not said how much the warming centres are but says they will continue to ask the province for funding and support in Nanaimo to aid the humanitarian crisis in the city to shelter the unhoused population.
Mayor Leonard Krog says he extends council’s appreciation to the organizations who stepped up to answer the call for help.
“Council would like to extend their gratitude to Risebridge, the 7-10 Club Society, and Island Crisis Care Society for their willingness to work quickly to establish warming centres,” he says. “We are pleased to work with our community partners to provide a warm, safe place for unsheltered people to access during cold weather.”
The city has already posted $230,000 last month for one warming station after they heard from Craig Kambeltz, during a special council meeting, who had his ID and guitar stolen.
That brings the total spent on warming stations, and research for warming stations to just over $700,000 including an initial investment of $480,000 to the Nanaimo System’s Planning Organization.
Three warming centres have been set up in the city including 520 Prideaux Street, 5 Victoria Road and 2025 Bowen Road.
Last winter the city had access to three warming stations, and so far, the total of stations is now four.
