A pair of temporary winter shelters opened today (Dec. 1) in advance of some of the coldest days of the year being forecasted for early next week.
Forty shelter spaces designed for both men and women opened up at 1401 Hornby St., along with 10 spaces for youth at 1138 Burrard St.
The Hornby Street shelter is operated by the RainCity Housing and Support Society, while the Burrard location is run by Directions Youth Services.
Slated to close no later than April 2017, the Hornby Street Winter Shelter is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week and accepts couples and pets. Secure storage space is also provided.
Today’s openings round out the suite of services, which totals 190 shelter beds at six locations, rolled out by the city since mid-October. Additional shelter spaces are offered at three locations on Cordova Street, while another is located at 1648 East First Ave.
Snow is expected in the forecast as soon as Sunday, Dec. 4. Temperatures are projected to dip to -6 C one day later.
City stats suggest more than 1,000 people have transitioned from temporary winter shelters into permanent housing since the city partnered with BC Housing in 2009 to open additional temporary winter shelter beds.
