Vancouver city council approves new winter shelters

Wednesday, December 16, 2009
CBC News

Vancouver will be getting new temporary shelters this winter.

City council approved $500,000 to help fund up to four shelters, providing housing for a maximum of 160 people. The province is also chipping in $1.2 million.

No sites have been chosen yet, Coun. Kerry Jang said.

"Currently, we're looking at a number of places in four different neighbourhoods where there is a large homeless population. We haven't decided on any yet," he said.

The need for shelter space is highest in downtown Vancouver, he said, as well Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano and the Commercial Drive neighbourhood.

The city is also looking at re-opening controversial shelters on Granville and Howe streets in downtown Vancouver. Shelters located there were closed earlier this year after area residents complained of fights, drug use, harassment and public urination.

But Jang said things will be different this time outside the homeless shelters.

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