As the temperature drops, will portions of Prince George’s homeless population be left out in the cold this winter?
A coordinator with the Community Partners Addressing Homelessness doesn’t think that will be the case.
Lynn Florey told MyPGNow.com oftentimes when the weather gets colder, more of our most vulnerable usually head indoors.
“BC Housing has 43 units now at the Knights Inn that can be utilized so there are definitely enough shelter beds. It’s not that we are short on that, they do tend to as soon as it gets really cold to start using the shelters more often.”
“However, some can’t go to shelters because some people have potentially been banned and it’s generally in the case of violent incidents that may have occurred in the past but, this is a small number but often some of them prefer to stay outside as there is no privacy in a shelter.”
More supportive housing is also in the works for PG including the Integrated Housing Model on 1st Avenue, which is expected to open early next year as well as the National Hotel.
“It’s the right type of housing with all the wraparound services. It certainly won’t end homelessness that is definitely not a proposition but it’s a really good start,” added Florey.
Florey believes the term “affordable housing” often gets overused when trying to assist our most vulnerable.
“We often hear a lot about affordable housing being built but that is affordable for general working people. It’s not affordable for people on low-income or on benefits. There is very little for them and it is very much a crisis.”
“Housing comes with a lot of other stuff, there are addictions, mental health issues, there are all sorts of things and a lot of people can’t stay because of those types of things. I am not sure any sort of government will have a big enough budget to really end homelessness.”
According to Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing David Eby, there are another 2,300 supportive homes underway throughout the province.
Homelessness Action Week in BC runs until Saturday.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
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