B.C. to fund more Vancouver shelters
The B.C. government has agreed to pay $1 million to open two more homeless shelters in Vancouver, after Mayor Gregor Robertson criticized the province over a lack of funding.
The turnaround comes a day after it was revealed that a full homeless shelter at the First United Church in downtown Vancouver was forced to turn away 27 people in one night.
A 40-bed facility under the Granville Bridge is expected to open in a few days, while a 60-space shelter at Mount St Joseph's Hospital will open its doors in a couple of weeks.
'When the winter's hitting us, we've got to make sure we have the beds to make available' —Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson
Housing Minister Rich Coleman told CBC News he was disappointed Robertson had gone to the media rather than discuss the issue directly with his ministry.
The mayor defended his approach, saying emotions were running high because people's lives are at stake.
"We cannot hold back at this point, when the winter's hitting us we've got to make sure we have the beds to make available," he said.
Robertson previously estimated at least 160 people wouldn't have beds this winter because the province had refused to provide operating funds for four shelters the city is ready to open. The city says existing shelters are already at capacity.
"It's just deplorable that the B.C. government isn't responding more proactively on this and that we end up in this crisis yet again," Robertson said.
Shelter forced to turn away homeless
On Wednesday, almost 270 people sought shelter at the First United Church, located at the intersection of Gore Avenue and Hastings Street in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
The shelter reached capacity and 27 people were turned away because of fire safety bylaws.
Ric Matthews, the pastor at First United Church, said it was a difficult night.
"Twenty-seven people who were met and face-to-face were told that despite the fact that we know you and care about you and relate to you and understand that you have no other place to go...you cannot come into this building. You are out on the streets," Matthews said.
Jason Watt, a shift manager at First United Church, said that left people angry and scared.
"It was very emotional. There was a lot of swearing, there was a lot of... I mean I had my life threatened, I got spit on," Watt said.
"People were pleading to come inside because it was cold out. I couldn't even let one woman in to use the washroom."
Vancouver Fire Chief John McKearney said the shelter has an occupancy limit of 240.
"I will be sending staff on a regular basis to verify the occupany load limit, and I will have staff remain there until they become compliant in order to ensure safety," McKearney said.