Author Archives: homelesscoalition

EXTREME WEATHER ALERT

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Pursuant to sec. 2(2)(b) of the Assistance to Shelter Act an Extreme Weather Alert (EWA) is being issued for the municipality of New Westminster, British Columbia. This EWA activates the authorities in the Assistance to Shelter Act for police to assist persons at risk due to extreme weather conditions and remains in effect until it is cancelled.

This EWA is being issued on December 30, 2021 at 10am, due to the following weather conditions and forecast: snow accumulation and feels like temperatures at or below zero degrees.

The following shelters will be providing spaces during this EWA:

Lower Mainland Purpose Society EWR Shelter

502 Columbia Street, enter on Front Street side of building

8:00pm to 8:00am

Phone: 604-526-2522 (830-5pm) or 604-375-5792 (during shelter hours)

Space for up to 50 adults 19+

Russell Housing Centre

740 Carnarvon Street

8:30pm to 8:00am

Phone: 604-862-9582

Spaces for up to 10 adults 19+

Extreme Cold Weather Shelter Information

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New Westminster currently has 54 permanent emergency shelter beds in operation. In addition, the City is working with BC Housing and Purpose Society to operationalize up to 50 extreme weather response program mats on the lower floor of the former Army and Navy department store and accessed off of Front Street. This additional shelter capacity will be activated during extreme weather events and will be operational until March 31, 2022.

Purpose Society is currently addressing some outstanding items prior to occupancy and hopes to have the shelter operating within the week. When operational, Purpose Society will notify City departments and all faith-based and non-profit organizations, and will publicly post the City’s Extreme Weather Response Program Plan, which is intended to assist those who are unsheltered during extreme weather.

You can also find open shelters in your area through BC Housing’s shelter finder at https://smap.bchousing.org/…/shelters_list.jsf…

Thank You New Westminster!

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A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making Homelessness Action Week 2021 in New Westminster a success last week:

All the Volunteers and Community members who provided their support!

Aunt Leah’s

City of New Westminster

Community Action Network Leaders

Dan’s Legacy

Don’t Go Hungry Food Program (St. Aidan’s, Knox and Queensborough)

Elizabeth Fry Society

Family Services of Greater Vancouver

Fraser Health, New Westminster Public Health Unit

Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral

Leona at Green’s and Beans

Lookout Housing and Health Society

Lower Mainland Purpose Society

MOSAIC, Feeding the Homeless Program

New Westminster Soccer Club

Reaching Home

Refood

Salvation Army

Shiloh 5th Ave United Church

SPARC

St. Barnabas Anglican Church

St. Vincent de Paul

Students from UBC’s School of Regional & Community Planning (SCARP)

Students from UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry

Union Gospel Mission

Apologies to anyone we may have missed.

Homelessness Action Week may be over for another year, but there is still much work to be done. Get involved and become part of the solution!

Join our listserve to keep up to date on work being done to address homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, and many other issues affecting our community.