As the days get shorter and the temperature gets colder, of the Comox Valley are facing an uncertain future.
As of Oct.5, the majority of the regionB次元官网网址檚 unhoused population has nowhere to go in case of severe winter weather or emergency.
Angela Fletcher, co-ordinator at the Coalition to End Homelessness, is currently working to find a solution to this pressing problem.
B次元官网网址淲e are looking for a place and we need a big locationB次元官网网址� thatB次元官网网址檚 difficult to find,B次元官网网址� said Fletcher. B次元官网网址淲e definitely donB次元官网网址檛 have enough space. We were lucky to work with the (church of) St. John the Divine last winter, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not an option this year.B次元官网网址�
(According to a previous interview with Rev. Alistair Hunting of SJTD, that decision would have come from the diocese in Victoria. The Record reached out to Hunting for comment, but could not connect with him by press time.)
Currently suffering from a severe shortage of shelter options, the region offers fewer than 65 beds, split between the Connect Centre and the Pidcock House. This leaves nearly 80 per cent of the homeless population with nowhere to go.
Despite these challenging circumstances, Fletcher remains optimistic, emphasizing that little is needed to provide housing for the communityB次元官网网址檚 most vulnerable.
B次元官网网址淲e just need a basic room, running water, a washroom and we could make it work,B次元官网网址� said Fletcher. B次元官网网址淧eopleB次元官网网址檚 lives would be saved and thatB次元官网网址檚 all we needB次元官网网址� to get through this winter.B次元官网网址�
Adopting a proactive and collaborative approach, Fletcher is connected with numerous community organizations and CourtenayB次元官网网址檚 city council in the hope of achieving positive results.
The Record contacted Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells to inquire if any solutions would be available shortly.
B次元官网网址淣oB次元官网网址� WeB次元官网网址檝e been working on this (for two decades) long before I got on council. This has been a long-standing problem,B次元官网网址� said Wells. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e continuing to work with BC Housing and this is their responsibility.
B次元官网网址淲e have been working with them to build even more purpose-built shelters.B次元官网网址�
Wells further explained that there are numerous challenges related to the opening of low-barrier housing facilities. One of them being the lack of funds.
B次元官网网址淭he city unfortunately doesnB次元官网网址檛 have the resources,B次元官网网址� said Wells. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 even get enough taxes, to look after roads, water, sewer, and those sorts of basic things.B次元官网网址�
Wells added that in order to open a shelter, the municipality needs to ensure the safety of its users.
B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, it is a very complicated situation when it comes to providing land,B次元官网网址� said Wells. B次元官网网址淎fter talking with our fire chief and the police chief, we donB次元官网网址檛 have any place that we can ensure would be a safe place. There have to be safety measures in place.B次元官网网址�
Whereas this shortage in housing options is an administrative puzzle for some, it is a life-threatening situation for others.
B次元官网网址淟ast winter, I got frostbite and (suffered from) hypothermia,B次元官网网址� said Mike Willington, who has been homeless for the last four years. B次元官网网址淚 woke up in the hospital and I was naked in a warming blanket. My internal temperature was 30.4 C.B次元官网网址�
Once out of the emergency, Willington learned that bystanders had called paramedics after finding him unresponsive in the streets. Without this intervention, the man stated that he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be here today.
Winter poses an inherent threat to those living without a fixed address. Depending on the limited warmth provided by their improvised shelters, the cold and wet conditions isolate those in need of help.
Historically speaking, winter is synonymous with rising rates of overdoses, assaults, thefts, and other crimes, further endangering an already vulnerable population.
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