By Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo homeless shelters weather rough winter

Jan 19, 2017 | 3:30 PM

NANAIMO — There may not be snow on the ground anymore, but it’s still winter and hypothermia, pneumonia and even death continues to be a risk for Nanaimo’s homeless.

At the height of winter, which Extreme Weather Shelter coordinator Kevan Griffith said was the worst he’s seen in eight years, every shelter in the area was over-capacity.

Even now, the shelters are running at more than 100 per cent.

“We’re trying to keep them healthy, we’re trying to keep them alive, we’re trying to give them hope,” Griffith said.

Extreme Weather Shelter attendance numbers are up, according to Griffith, as more homeless try to get out of the cold. Even with six extra beds this year, some have to be referred to other shelters.

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The Salvation Army shelter takes many of those who have to be turned away due to capacity issues. Community ministries director Rob Anderson said they also can’t provide a warm bed for everyone on a blisteringly cold night.

“We see the demand for our services up,” Anderson said. “We’ve been able to accommodate some of them…I see the potential for increased demand as our shelter is running at over 100 per cent occupancy.”

To hopefully not have to turn people away from their doors, Anderson said they’re looking at options for a permanent program offering 10 mats. Currently, everything is in place except the funding.

“We have some feelers out there but it’s too early to tell,” he said.

Ronell Bosman, program director of Samaritan House, said they’re in a similar situation and have had to bring out extra mats to accommodate extra women so far in January.

Despite the slight turn towards warmer temperatures, with today sitting at eight degrees, Anderson said shelter users are still at risk.

“With the dampness, there’s more of a threat to their personal safety and health,” he said, specifically their feet.

Dampness doesn’t affect the body the same as a windy cold and Anderson said the homeless need to prepare for a different challenge.

To help those in need, both Anderson and Griffith said they’re specifically looking for socks and shoes to protect the feet, which are more susceptible to damp-related damage.

Just recently, Griffith said 30 pairs of long underwear were donated, which he called a “god send.”