Salvation Army Shelter Partners with B.C. Housing Ahead of a Tough Winter Season

The Salvation Army’s “Belkin House” is taking necessary measures to be prepared to receive a high number of clients accessing residential services this winter.

According to The Weather Network’s winter forecast, western Canada is expected to see below-seasonal temperatures throughout this winter. This projection could mean that more people around the Vancouver area will need access to residential services during periods of extreme weather.

David Burrows, director of housing and shelter programs at Belkin House, says that this year a partnership was formed to ensure more space is available for people needing residential services.

“The main thing we did this year was partnering with B.C. Housing in the city of Vancouver, to open up emergency extreme weather shelters,” Burrows said.

When emergency shelters are in effect, it allows Belkin House to accommodate an extra 15 residents on nights of extreme weather. Excessive cold, snow, or rain, all fall under the category of “extreme weather.”

“All 15 clients we take in on those days (extreme weather), would be on the streets if it wasn’t for our emergency shelter.”

To house the extra residents, Belkin House uses its multi-purpose room. They lay mats for people to sleep on and bring in additional staff to support them on emergency shelter days. Considering the bitterly cold temperatures of the Canadian winter, emergency shelters such as the one at Belkin House can prove to be lifesaving for some.

“All 15 clients we take in on those days (extreme weather), would be on the streets if it wasn’t for our emergency shelter,” Burrows said. “There are a lot of risks that come with living on the street under such conditions.”

The emergency shelter is open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The additional residents go back out on the street in the morning.

“Monetary donations are critical, as we like to ensure that our residents go back out in the morning prepared for the weather conditions,” he said.

Belkin House has just over 250 clients. They offer men’s and women’s emergency shelter, transitional housing, and community residential facility programs in Vancouver, B.C.

By Juan Romero