Overnight homeless shelter with 20 beds opens in Tri-Cities, British Columbia, Canada

As temperatures drop, 20 beds are now set aside for people experiencing homelessness in the Tri-Cities. The overnight shelter is operated by the Progressive Housing Society and is located at the former Riverview Hospital, now known as Səmiq̓wəʔelə (suh-Mee-kwuh El-uh). Offering a warm place to sleep on cold nights reflects hospitality toward neighbors (Matthew 25:35).

In a release, the society described the program as “more than just a refuge from the harsh winter weather; it’s a community effort dedicated to supporting and uplifting individuals facing homelessness.”

Beyond shelter from freezing temperatures, the program is also intended to connect residents with support services. “We provide connections to healthcare, mental health resources, and help with housing applications, aiming to address the broader needs of our guests,” the society stated.

Residents who need shelter can be picked up at Lincoln SkyTrain, at Christmas Way and Pheasant Street, or at Kingsway and Jane Street.

In recent years, a rotating group of churches offered shelter services over fall and winter. The program was halted last year due to the scope of homelessness and associated health challenges. Rev. David Cathcart of Trinity United Church explained that demand was rising beyond the church’s ability to meet it. In a letter to the City of Port Coquitlam, Cathcart wrote that the toxic drug supply “makes a 12 hour stay in a shelter (that is not equipped to be a safe use site), impossible for people who need to use throughout the night.”

The source notes that a homeless shelter already operates at 3030 Gordon, but that facility is generally at capacity, with an encampment outside.

Source: Read the original report