Emergency
shelters are the last option for people who find themselves without
a place to call home. Each night in the GVRD the number of homeless
exceeds the shelter
capacity
(4). In 2005, a total of 2174 homeless
persons we counted, while the region only has 530 permanent beds,
plus approximately another 170 temporary beds (4;
5). For women who are escaping violent family situations, there
is a 66% shortage of safe houses or transition-home spaces (4).
The map
above shows that the majority of shelters are located in Vancouver’s
inner city (4; 5). The municipalities
of Burnaby, Delta, West Vancouver, Maple Ridge, and Langley have no
permanent homeless shelters yet have homeless populations (4;
5). The homeless population of Surrey was counted at 371 in 2005,
but the entire municipality only has two shelters (4;
5). In Richmond 33 homeless people were counted, while there are
only seven beds open each night (4; 5).
It is clear that the distribution and capacity of homeless shelters
does not adequately address the needs of the GVRD.The
Regional Homeless Plan for Greater Vancouver recognizes the need to
open more shelter beds, as well as transition houses throughout the
region (4). The plan also points out
the importance of addressing the needs of people struggling with mental
illness and addiction (4).
