With overnight temperatures dipping to -4 C this week, emergency weather spaces at the Lookout Emergency Aid Society’s North Shore shelter have been filled to near capacity.
Sixteen of the 20 available spots were occupied Monday night when temperatures plunged to -2. And with sub-zero weather forecast into next week it should remain busy.
“If we end up reaching 20 beds in a night that will dictate us using our secondary site,” said Bailey Mumford, manager of the North Shore shelter.
When the Lookout’s emergency mats are full, an additional 20 spaces can be set up at North Shore Neighbourhood House.
The North Shore shelter has 45 year-round beds. Emergency spaces open during periods of extreme weather, including forecasts of three consecutive days of heavy rain with a low of 4 C and freezing temperatures.
Mumford said the North Shore’s emergency spaces have been open since Dec. 17 with six to sixteen of the spaces being used.
According to statistics from the 2014 homeless count, 119 people live without permanent shelter on the North Shore but that number is likely higher in reality.
Some prefer to “sleep rough” in the woods or other desolate areas.
“There’s always going to be some people that choose to do that... And we haven’t seen them so I’m assuming they’re still choosing to be outdoors,” said Mumford, who expects emergency mats to remain out for at least the next week.
Mumford said donations of cold weather items such as socks, rain jackets, boots, casual clothes, shoes and underwear are always welcome and can be dropped off at the shelter, located at 705 West Second St.
– with files from Brent Richter
