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| January 12,2010 | ||
| 12:00 am |
City of Vancouver
A sixth emergency shelter for the homeless will open at 747 Cardero Street on Tuesday,January 12,2010 to ensure shelter options are available throughout the city for a temporary period ending by April 30,2010.
With the shelter’s opening,40 additional sleeping spaces will be available through the City’s 2010 Winter Response Program,for a total of 460 spaces. The 2010 program will have 500 temporary emergency shelter beds in total.
The Cardero Street shelter will be operated by RainCity Housing,who have operated housing and shelter for people throughout the Lower Mainland since 1982. At least two RainCity staff will be at the shelter at all times. As with other shelters opened under the 2010 Winter Response Program,shelter users can bring shopping carts and pets and will receive two meals each day.
A community open house is planned for January 26,2010 to provide information on shelter operations and 24-hour agency contacts for neighbours. A bed reservation system will reduce line-ups and access to adequate washroom facilities will be ensured. The shelter will remain open 24-hours-a-day,seven-days-a-week.
Emergency winter shelters are funded in 2010 through a $1.2 million contribution from the Government of British Columbia and $500,000 from the City. Shelter locations are chosen based on need and the number of homeless in the area.
Two other temporary shelters opened in December 2009 at 677 East Broadway and January 2010 at 1435 Granville Street to join the three temporary emergency shelters already in operation.
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Media contacts:
Corporate Communications
604.871.6336
RainCity Housing
Bill Briscall
604.671.2169
