On November 30th, 2009, St. James Community Service Society is opening 26 permanent new emergency housing beds for homeless women in Vancouver.

The new service, at 625 Powell Street in the Downtown Eastside, will provide possession friendly emergency accommodation on a 24/7 basis, as well as, on-site supports to assist residents finding permanent housing.

The increased capacity has been made possible wtih the combined efforts of the community and government. The Province is providing an annual operating grant through its Emergency Shelter Program, while private donors have leased the building to the Society and funded nearly $250,000 of leasehold improvements and renovations. The City of Vancouver is supporting the project by providing a temporary operating license.

"We're thrilled to be opening these new beds in time for the worst of the winter weather," says Jonathan Oldman, Executive Director. "Our existing service in the Downtown Eastside turns away as many as it admits, and this new resource will not only help women stay safe tonight, but also help them on the path towards ending their homelessness. Last year our emergency housing services helped 334 women and children find permanent housing."

"The Province is pleased to support the expansion of shelter beds offered by the St. James Community Service Society," says Rich Coleman, Minister of Housing and Social Development. "Since 2001 the province has more than doubled the year-round shelter beds across the province to 1,500 from just 700 in 2001. The annual funding toward shelters and support services is approximately $56 million - more than five times as much as 2001."

"These shelter beds are desperately needed as we head into winter, and I am very pleased to see them opening," said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. "By continuing these kinds of partnerships with the Province and community groups like St. James Community Service Society, we can move closer to our goal of ending street homelessness in Vancouver."

The new location is a temporary site with the new beds doubling the number of women-only emergency housing spaces in the Downtown Eastside provided by St. James Community Service Society. St. James is currently planning to expand its 26-bed service at Powell Place within the next 2 years to create a single 52-bed facility.

For more information about the Umbrella and St. James' Women and Children's Program, see our Services page.