A total of 56 people had to be turned away from the Pidcock House emergency shelter in Courtenay this month due to a lack of beds.

One man set up a makeshift lean-to with mattresses by the Salvation Army thrift store Monday night in the fog.

The shelter normally turns away a few people in a month, but 22 people in three weeks is “way over the top,” said Salvation Army community ministries director Brent Hobden.

The shelter contains 18 beds, 14 supplied by BC Housing and four by the Sally Ann.

“When we suggested the shelter is over its capacity, it’s way beyond what the Province is supplying for us,” Hobden said, noting the Extreme Weather Protocol does not kick in until Nov. 4.

“There’s not a whole lot to offer people in our valley. Lots of plans, lots of things we’re working on, just nothing that’s come into fruition just yet.”

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com