To help mark Homelessness Action Week, over $71,000 is being provided by the B.C. government for a 10-bed shelter this winter for those who are homeless in the Cranbrook area. The shelter will be operated by the Salvation Army Cranbrook – Kootenay Valley Community Church, and will be available to men and women.

The funding is through the government’s Extreme Weather Response Program, which provides resources for communities to establish temporary shelter spaces during the coldest nights of the winter.

The spaces will be available at the Salvation Army facilities at 533 Slater Rd., and will be open daily from Nov. 1 to March 31, 2013, from 10 p.m. – 8 a.m. Besides a place to sleep and stay warm, people using the shelter will have access to meals, showers and laundry.

Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett, who presented the funds to the Salvation Army Oct. 12, stated, “As part of Homelessness Action Week, we’re providing provincial funding so that safe, secure shelter is available in Cranbrook this winter for people who have no other housing options during the coldest time of the year. The Salvation Army has an established history of providing valuable services to those in greatest need in our community, and we are grateful they can partner with us to continue this tradition.”

Kirk Green, Captain, Salvation Army Cranbrook – Kootenay Valley Community Church said the funds will be well used.

“A warm place to spend the night is a basic need that each person should be able to have,” he said. “This year we are setting up the shelter so that we can provide the service for men, women, and children, offering a separate, secure area where they can feel safe and welcome. The provincial funding announcement to confirm we can proceed with our plans is a significant way to mark Homelessness Action Week this year in Cranbrook.”

Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $3.2 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 97,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial housing programs and services.

In 2011-12, the B.C. government invested over $2.5 million to provide subsidized housing and rent supplements for more than 520 households in Cranbrook.

The B.C. government’s Extreme Weather Response Program provides funding so that shelter is available to give people a warm, safe, secure place to stay on the coldest nights of the year.

Last winter, more than 1,300 spaces were available in 35 communities across B.C. through the Extreme Weather Response Program.

This is in addition to the 1,600 permanent, year-round shelter beds in 33 communities. Overall, the B.C. government provides approximately $80 million each year for year-round and extreme weather emergency shelters.

To learn more about provincial housing programs and services, visit www.bchousing.org.

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