Powell River’s emergency shelter was open in time for the recent cold snap that saw temperatures dropping to as low as minus five degrees Celsius.
According to Powell River Employment Program Society (PREP) executive director Stuart Clark, the shelter is operating smoothly and a core group of people who need it are using it.
The shelter, which is operated by PREP and located at Community Resource Centre at 4752 Joyce Avenue, will provide a safe haven for the homeless during the harsh winter months until March 31, 2019.
“It's definitely being used. It's operating really smoothly,” said Clark. “I think we were having at least six people using it fairly frequently right now.”
It is estimated that there are 50 people who are homeless in the Powell River area, including 15 to 20 who likely have nowhere to live. The rest are couch surfing or sharing crowded housing.
The weather forecast shows a slight improvement in overnight temperatures for the weekend and then dropping to freezing again next week.
