Shelter Shortage, Cold Weather Threaten City’s Homeless
Monday, January 16, 2012 @ 1:02 PM
Prince George, B.C. – The cold weather expected right through this week poses a serious problem for the homeless of Prince George. With wind chills in the minus 35 to 40 range, shelter is crucial in an effort to survive. But where do you go when the shelters are full?
That’s a real problem for those who live on the streets here. The local shelters for both women and men are basically running at capacity year round. A spokesperson at the Phoenix Transition Society says their shelter, which houses a total of 26 women and children, has been full for months. She says its sad to say but abuse and other problems have led to local shelters being full all the time. If someone shows up at the door during this cold snap they will be given a spot on a couch for the night….no one will be turned away. The Phoenix Transition Society welcomes and greatly appreciates donations of hats, gloves, blankets and any other items useful in battling the cold. Call 250-563-7305.
Active Support Against Poverty runs a men’s shelter at 590 Dominion Street. Officials there say they can accommodate 40 people but are usually full year round. Normally the shelter is closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday but the ASAP shelter remains open 24 hours a day during bitterly cold weather.
The other shelters in town are:
AWAC (women) 250-562-6262
Elizabeth Fry (women) 250-563-1113
Ketso Yo 563-1982
Comments
Gee whiz! I recollect during our municipal election campaign there was an open invite to all the candidates in the election at the “Firepit” drop in centre to discuss this issue. Methinks no aspiring candidates who attended took notes or put this problem on their “to do” list. Oh, well. Life goes on.
Maybe Falcon will put some of them up for a couple of nights while he’s here.
What about Baldy Hughes stepping up to the plate for room? They are no way near their full capacity? May be some good PR?
We have a Civic Centre that sits empty most of the year. We could put them on the floor with sleeping bags etc; We keep the building at 70degrees F. even when it empty.
Once the weather warms up, out they go.
There’s definitely a lot more people falling through the cracks in our system in recent years.
A new study published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal says of all Canadians, British Columbians are least able to afford prescription drugs.
The study relied on data provided by 5,732 Canadians. People were asked if the cost of prescription drugs ever led them to stop medical treatment.
It found the people who are most likely to be unable to afford prescription medication are already in poor health, with no drug insurance and living in B.C, says lead author Michael Law, of the University of British Columbia.
“While we found 1 in 10 people across Canada had trouble with drug affordability, we found the number in B.C. was just under 1 in 6 — so 17 per cent of people in British Columbia.”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/01/16/bc-prescription-drugs-unaffordable.html
In BC, Pharma Care goes by Income, check it out and see how much you have to pay.
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