Emergency shelter spaces were at full capacity on the mid-Island during last weeks cold snap, with operators saying more consistent provincial funding is required to prepare for extreme weather events, instead of reacting to them. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

emergency shelter use

Mid-Island emergency warming centres reach capacity during cold snap, calls made for consistent funding

Jan 19, 2024 | 4:12 PM

NANAIMO — As the snow turns to rain and the temperature becomes more seasonal for the mid-Island, emergency warming shelter operators are reflecting on the impacts of a recent deep freeze.

Three City-funded warming centres began operation this winter, with two extending their hours overnight as a pair of winter storm cells brought chilly temperatures and lots of snow to the area.

Corrie Corfied with the Island Crisis Care Society (ICCS) said one of their biggest challenges in operating an overnight emergency shelter at their Bowen Rd. location was finding staff on short notice.

“We had a little bit of a scramble to make sure we had appropriate staffing for overnight time, and once we had secured that we were able to let the City know that we’d be able to open up overnight.”

Corfield said within the first 24 hours of operating their emergency shelter, around 75 people came through their doors starting around noon on Jan 11.

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They remained at their capacity of about 50-60 the first few nights before a water leak in their fire suppression system forced them to evacuate overnight on Jan 13.

While clients and staff were forced outside while the situation was dealt with, overall Corfield said they’ve seen an abundance of community support.

“As we were forced to relocate because of the flooding and the situation that’s progressed since then, we had amazing people dropping off donations, we put out a call for peanut butter sandwiches and cups of soup, and just were overwhelmed within minutes of a response from people dropping things off for us.”

While acknowledging some community residents may be “uncomfortable” with the situation, Corfield told NanaimoNewsNOW their staff handled any issues that arose, and their warming centre guests have been respectful and incredibly grateful for their service.

“Of course, there are challenges with homelessness and situations all throughout the city, and there those challenges in our specific community and our neighbourhood before the warming centre opened, and we’re going to continue seeing them as we move forward.”

The ICCS Bowen Rd. warming centre building is currently undergoing construction work to repair the damage caused by the water leak and currently has reduced capacity for their regular daytime warming centre hours as of Wednesday, Jan 17, from noon until 7 p.m. (ICCS Facebook page)

Risebridge
Local non-profit Risebridge was the other warming centre that extended its hours overnight during the cold snap.

Executive director Jovonne Johnson said it was difficult to turn away people due to capacity limits at their Prideaux St. location as they offered 30 overnight spaces for those who identify as women.

“It’s not something that we’ve offered before but it’s certainly something we were hoping to offer within our advocacy efforts of Risebridge and just knowing that need really does exist in our community right now. Everyone was very appreciative that we were able to offer that space.”

Thanks to an “exhausting level of political advocacy”, Risebridge was able to provide an overnight warming centre at the Qualicum Christian Fellowship Church starting on Jan. 11, with a capacity for 30 people, a cap reached on a daily basis.

Oceanside Community Church off the Alberni Hwy. near Errington also provided a temporary daytime warming centre over the weekend.

Johnson said they wanted to serve the entire Oceanside region but were unable to secure another location for an overnight shelter, resorting to daytime outreach in Parksville.

“Our challenge was that it wasn’t supported by the City of Parksville side, so we weren’t able to get a daytime warming centre or outreach hours, and just had to stick to the 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. framework of the Qualicum shelter overnight which made it super challenging… you don’t know where to direct people to in the daytime and what the options would be there for transport.”

Similar to ICCS, Johnson said finding extra staff for the overnight hours is challenging when timelines are short.

She said it is often difficult to get information out regarding shelter space availability to those who need it.

“Many do not always have access to social media…so how do you reach the person who’s sleeping in the bush underneath the highway, and let them know they finally have an opportunity to come inside?”

The reality of the housing crisis is perhaps no more evident than in stories staff at the Qualicum Beach shelter heard from clients, with some sleeping indoors for the first time since the Oceanside warming centre was open last March.

“But our advocacy efforts aren’t over,’ said Johnson. “We’re certainly going to do all we can to work with municipalities and B.C. Housing to explore what other options might be available.”

City of Nanaimo
Manager of social planning with the City Christy Wood said while some challenges did arise related to providing services for a population who may have substance and mental health issues, overall, the community understands the urgent need for shelter spaces, especially during extreme weather.

“We have had residents reach out with concerns and we try our best to address those, either by working with the service provider or increasing patrols with our community safety officers, or even partnering up with the RCMP, just to try to be in that neighbourhood a little bit more just to address anything.”

Wood said one of the biggest challenges is the short-term provincial funding only available when the weather gets severe, making it difficult for service providers to prepare for these events.

“Permanent funding for service like this I think are really needed in a community, so that way you can plan and be more efficient and effective in getting the service out to folks who need it, but also to collaborate with neighbourhoods.”

While the severe weather overnight shelters ended with the cold weather, the three City-funded warming centres will remain in operation until March 31.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow