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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VANCOUVER – The Beacon and Haven shelters are the latest in permanent year-round shelters to convert to 24 hours per day/seven days per week operations, announced Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman.
“The conversion to 24/7 is making it easier for homeless people to move from shelters into supportive housing, by ensuring people are there to help them,” said Coleman. “The newly renovated Beacon and Haven shelters will provide 100 shelter beds and a safe place for homeless men to come for a warm meal and much needed help in the Downtown Eastside.”
On Oct. 12, 2007, the Province increased the funding for emergency shelters by $25 million so emergency shelters across B.C. can be open 24/7. Support services offered at emergency shelters include on-site case management, life-planning services and referrals and linkages to off-site services including income assistance, employee training, mental health and addiction services, primary health-care and life-skills training.
To date, 88 per cent of permanent year-round shelter beds across the province are operating 24/7 and more than 1,500 homeless individuals have been housed through emergency shelters and integrated support services.
The Province provided $342,000 for renovations for the Beacon and Haven, through the Building Repairs program, and will provide annual operational funding of $3.1 million. The Province funds homeless shelters and drop-in centres offering gateway services to connect people who are homeless with the housing and support services they need to break the cycle of homelessness, as well as offering temporary shelter, food and hygiene services.
The Salvation Army-Vancouver
Harbour Light owns and operates both the Beacon and Haven shelters. In total,
they operate four shelter facilities providing 175 shelter beds, a detox
centre, a residential drug and alcohol treatment program, community church,
food-line service, a drop-in centre and social housing for people who are homeless
or at risk of homelessness in Vancouver.
“About a year ago, the
Beacon was only open eight hours a night and consisted of mats on the floor,”
said Wayne Oster, executive director of Vancouver Harbour Light. “The Province
stepped in and funded our renovations to provide more appropriate
accommodations and increased staff support so that our clients can focus on
getting the support they need to stabilize their lives. It has been a great
success. Our clients are achieving more in terms of gaining access to treatment
and housing than we ever thought possible.”
The provincial budget for emergency shelters is approximately $228 million over four years to allow emergency shelters to stay open 24/7. There are over 1,500 emergency shelter beds in B.C. funded by the Province, compared to approximately 850 in 2001.
Budget 2008 increased the amount the Province invests in affordable housing and shelters to more than $400 million a year, more than three times as much as in 2001.
‘Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness’ is a website providing a comprehensive and detailed look at provincial programs and services to address homelessness. For more information, visit www.bchousing.org/breakingthecycle.
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Contact: |
Rhonda Nguyen BC Housing 604 439-4740 604 374-8301 (cell) |
Wayne Oster The 604 375-3062 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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