Canada Global (Web News) A one-night shelter has opened on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside for women facing homelessness for the winter.
The Union Gospel Mission (UGM) says the shelter will help vulnerable women and aid workers as the weather gets colder and demand for shelters increases.
Nicole Mucci with UGM reported that more than 1,000 women are experiencing homelessness at night in Metro Vancouver.
“As temperatures continue to drop, it’s really important to make sure that there are just a few places for homeless women in our community to come in and get some rest from the cold,” Mucci said.
Located in the Downtown Eastside, the multi-purpose room converts into an emergency shelter. Amenities women receive include fresh pillows and sheets, hygiene items, shower access, laundry services, and a container to store belongings.
Mucci says the space is made possible by funding from BC Housing. “We know that women who are experiencing homelessness and addiction are at really high risk for gender-based violence.”
This shelter is available on a first-come, first-served basis and currently has capacity for 20 people.
