Two warming centres are now open in Nanaimo to help homeless people in the city, including those displaced by the now-closed Wesley St. encampment. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

shelter

Two warming centres opening to help Nanaimo’s homeless during winter months

Jan 18, 2021 | 10:03 AM

NANAIMO — Those experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo during the soggy winter months will have a place to go during the day.

Two warming centres opened Monday, Jan. 18 and will remain open until March 31.

One is at 489 Wallace St., being operated by the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy. The other is at 285 Prideaux St., operated by the 7-10 Club.

“It is about allowing people to get out of the rain, warm up, get some food, hopefully access Island Health services,” Signy Madden, executive director for the local United Way, said. “Also keep track and help people if they’re experiencing any symptoms [of COVID-19] and get them into proper care if there’s an outbreak on the streets.”

The Wallace St. location is open every day but Sunday, while the Prideaux St. location is open all week.

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Each has space for 10 to 15 guests at a time and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The warming centres cost roughly $110,000 in total. They are federally funded through the Reaching Home program and administered through the United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island.

Madden said the warming centres are a valuable band-aid for Nanaimo’s larger housing and homelessness crisis.

“People are desperate for a place to clean up, take their shoes and socks off and get some wound care, access some food. Just to come in and spend two hours to warm up is huge for somebody spending their whole day outside day after day.”

The City’s ongoing health and housing task force is due to provide further recommendations to council to address the growing issue in Nanaimo.

The most recent homelessness count in March 2020 found more than 430 people considered absolutely homeless, but it could not reach everyone experiencing homelessness in the region.

Madden estimated the real number was likely closer to 600.

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