The B.C. Government will fund 15 extreme weather spaces in Courtenay this winter to increase emergency shelter space when weather conditions threaten the safety and health of individuals.
These temporary spaces will be available from the beginning of November until the end of March, whenever the community issues an extreme weather alert. They will be located at the Pidcock Shelter at 632 Pidcock Ave.
“With winter bringing harsher and more unpredictable weather, it’s important to have emergency shelter space where people can take refuge,” said Don McRae, MLA for Comox Valley. “I’d like to thank all the hard-working staff at the the Salvation Army’s Pidcock House, who help some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”
Extreme weather shelters supplement the more than 1,800 permanent, year-round shelter beds available in B.C., more than double the number of beds that were available in 2001. The B.C. government also funds outreach teams to help connect people with a range of community services in more than 60 communities. Provincewide, homeless outreach teams helped more than 6,700 individuals access stable housing last year.
Quick Facts:
• Across the province, the B.C. government will provide up to $1.5 million this winter to make more than 1,100 temporary emergency shelter spaces available in over 80 communities.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.6 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families.
• This year, more than 98,000 B.C. households will benefit from the government’s housing programs and services.
For more information on provincial affordable housing programs and efforts to end homelessness in British Columbia, visit www.housingmattersbc.ca/factsheets.html and www.bchousing.org.
— BC Government Caucus Communications