Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons says he’s been working to ensure decision makers in Victoria know about the need for a winter season homeless shelter in Gibsons to supplement the 20-bed shelter in Sechelt.
Funding was provided to run a shelter for two months in February and March as a pilot project.
Speaking on Eastlink Community TV’s Parliamentary Talkback Nov. 16, Simons said he was a little surprised and concerned that Gibsons wasn’t on a list of shelter sites announced Oct. 31.
“I’ve been in regular contact with the minister’s office and BC Housing is working with RainCity [who operated the shelter last year]… The need in Gibsons is significant,” Simons said. “I know that there’s active work taking place. It looks good that we’ll be able to provide a cold, wet weather shelter in Gibsons soon.”
Simons also said he thinks the province, through BC Housing, has been doing a good job of making resources available for communities with a demonstrated need for shelter space.
Powell River received funding to run a seven-day-a-week seasonal shelter for the first time this year. Previously the only shelter space in the city was an extreme weather emergency shelter that opened only when conditions hit certain thresholds.
