Homeless outreach worker Judith Goetz has been working with about 15 people who were put out on the street after the cold weather shelter closed at the end of March, and she needs the community’s help to house them.
“The biggest, most pressing need is housing,” Goetz said this week.
“If people could come forward with even just property where people could park their cars – it can be as simple as this – or an old fifth-wheeler they have that people can still live in.”
Goetz said many of the people who were regular users of the shelter before it closed are seniors and some of them now live in their vehicles or in tents on beaches, in parks and in the bush.
Some shelter users have been able to purchase a camper to stay in, but they can’t afford anywhere to park it permanently.
“Quite a few folks from the shelter bought their own campers, but to get a pad rental at a campground starts at $525,” Goetz said, noting most shelter users are on assistance and get only $375 a month for housing.
“With $375 you can’t even rent. There’s not even a room. They generally start at $400 or $450.”
She noted there are two BC Housing buildings on the Coast but neither offers supportive housing for the homeless.
“So I’m trying to talk to everybody who’s around – landlords – and try to build connections,” Goetz said.
In an effort to build more connections and help inform community members about what’s needed, there will be an information meeting on Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in the annex building at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church in Sechelt.
Homeowners who could possibly rent a suite, a room or a house to someone in need are invited to the meeting, and Goetz said showing up doesn’t mean you have to commit to becoming a landlord.
She’s happy to talk with people about all the ins and outs of providing housing for the homeless and said she’s available to support both landlords and tenants through the entire process.
In addition to helping the homeless find housing, Goetz has been busy attending to several other needs of those living on the street in her role as an outreach worker, including referrals and helping with “their financial stuff.”
Goetz was the supervisor at the cold weather shelter before it closed and then she was hired on as the outreach coordinator, so she’s familiar with the clientele of the shelter and the needs of those clients. While she does what she can to serve the homeless population of the Coast, she’s only hired to work 3.5 days a week between Monday and Thursday, due to limited funds.
Goetz is looking for more donations from the public to bump up her hours and help pay for things like bus tickets that she can hand out to clients in need of transportation.
If you would like to give to the outreach effort, contact Goetz via email at [email protected]
Financial donations can also be sent to the Sunshine Coast Homelessness Advisory Council care of St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box 302, Sechelt B.C., V0N 3A0.
