More people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver, including those sleeping at Strathcona Park, will soon have access to a safe, warm and secure place to stay with 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week support.

The Province, in partnership with the City of Vancouver, will be opening two new temporary shelters that will offer a total of 120 beds. Securing, preparing and staffing these facilities is a significant step toward meeting the Province and City of Vancouver’s goal of having enough indoor spaces available to provide unsheltered residents housing. The shelters will be located at the following places:

• 875 Terminal Ave. – 60-bed shelter to open in April, will be operated by Lu’ma Native Housing Society
• 15-27 W. Hastings St. – 60-bed shelter to open at the end of April, operator to be confirmed

“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our most marginalized neighbours and collective action is needed to address the critical needs of people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver,” said Mayor Kennedy Stewart. “The new shelters announced today demonstrate that with deep cooperation between all three levels of government, we can provide warm, safe beds for hundreds of residents, and connect them to services and programs to support their wellbeing.”

Non-profit staff will be on-site 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week to support shelter guests. They will provide daily healthy meals, access to laundry and showers, assistance filling out housing application forms, as well as referral to community and health services, if needed.