Lift Community Services (Lift) is concerned about the ongoing lack of shelter services in the qathet region.
According to a media release from Lift, with no alternative shelter space secured since a closure last month, the community is facing a gap in services that is likely to span the summer months. Impacts are being deeply felt within the community, and Lift is calling on the public to step up and help secure a new shelter location.
“The situation has been devastating, across the board,” stated Lift executive director Kim Markel. “We’re sad and we’re angry. There is a lot of unnecessary suffering happening. The lack of shelter space, in combination with an ongoing toxic drug supply, is painting a dire picture for our community.”
As former shelter guests have transitioned to sleeping outside, the impact is felt not just by those individuals, but throughout the community, the release stated.
"It's a demoralizing situation for individuals who need support, and for the various staff teams at Lift and other organizations, who feel helpless in the face of a lack of resources,” stated Markel. She added that Lift has been receiving calls from family members trying to get ahold of their children and siblings who had previously been staying at the shelter.
“We’re getting calls from people desperately wanting to know if their loved ones are okay,” stated Markel. “Over the past couple months, there have been some great tactical responses from community groups in the provision of meals and support to individuals who are sleeping rough, but more is needed.”
In the absence of shelter services, Lift has secured temporary funding for a homelessness outreach team and has hired three full-time people who will deliver outreach services in the community for the next six months.
“It’s not going to address the full spectrum of support that is needed, but at the very least we hope to connect folks with resources and supports to ease their experience just a little,” stated Markel. She added that over the past two weeks, Lift staff have helped secure housing for two individuals who were previously accessing the shelter.
In January, City of Powell River and BC Housing agreed to assess a vacant lot on Barnet Street to develop an emergency shelter, but there are currently no prospective locations for an interim temporary shelter.
“We’ve had people ask why we don’t use the lower level of our Marine Avenue head office,” stated Markel. “It’s something we’ve gone back and forth on, but ultimately, it's not an appropriate space to meet service needs in a safe way. Our community can prevent more suffering from happening, but what’s needed is immediate collaborative, coordinated action in securing a new space for shelter.”
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