Burnaby's extreme weather shelter opened its doors to the homeless for the first time this season, while advocates brace for what's expected to be one of the coldest winters in two decades.
According to Dave Brown, from the Lookout Emergency Aid Society, last year's expectations of a particularly bad winter never materialized, but this year, he feels the predictions will prove true.
"You can feel it," he said. "This last little cold snap kind of had an angry edge to it."
Burnaby has no permanent homeless shelter, but there is an extreme weather response
shelter, which only opens when the temperature drops to zero, or there is a lot of snow, or it's considered cold or wet enough to threaten someone's health or life.
This year, the shelter is at Westminster Bible Chapel, at 7540 Sixth St. in Burnaby, just a few blocks from Edmonds and Canada Way.
The Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness issued an extreme weather alert for Nov. 18 to 20, but only three people showed up at the shelter on each of the three nights.
Brown said once word on the street spreads and the weather gets bad enough, the numbers will undoubtedly increase.
The shelter, which is basically mats and blankets on a floor in the church, can sleep up to 27 people. It's "minimalbarrier" meaning those with drug and alcohol problems won't be turned away. There are no showers, but there are washrooms and food, and a curtained-off area for women.
The Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness needs shelter volunteers who will work with staff, preparing and serving meals and setting up or taking down the equipment. They also need people to offer overnight supervision and support for the homeless.
To get involved, call Kevan Oxley at 604-515-2728.
