November 30th, 2009 - 26 New Emergency Housing Beds Opening for Homeless Women
November 30th 2009, St. James Community Service Society (SJCSS) is opening 26 permanent new emergency housing beds for homeless women in
The increased capacity has been made possible with 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 DTES 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 DTES provided by SJCSS. SJCSS is currently planning to expand its 26-bed service at 329 Powell Street within the next 2 years to create a single 52-bed facility.
These services are part of SJCSS’s Women & Children’s program that also manages 32 emergency housing beds and 10 transitional housing apartments for women and children in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood.
The building at 625 Powell Street contains 26 beds, 1 or 2 per room. There are also shower and washrooms, common areas, laundry facilities, and a food servery. Meals will be provided from one of SJCSS’s commercial kitchens at another location. The service will be staffed 24/7 with shelter support workers and housekeepers. Women will also have access to an “in-reach” team that helps find placement in permanent accommodation.
For more information contact:
Jonathan Oldman, Executive Director
Tel: 604-562-6220 Email: joldman@sjcss.com
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