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Delta Extreme Weather Shelter needed last winter

Social service organizations, the police and fire department, City of Delta and other stakeholders came together at Ladner United Church recently to discuss the Delta Extreme Weather Shelter and potential plans for next winter.
shelter

Social service organizations, the police and fire department, City of Delta and other stakeholders came together at Ladner United Church recently to discuss the Delta Extreme Weather Shelter and potential plans for next winter.

Those needing a warm place to rest their heads and get out of the cold had a space in South Delta this past winter thanks to a partnership between the Ladner United Church, the City of Delta and Options Community Services.

The shelter was located at the 48th Avenue church, which was open from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. when cold weather alerts were called.

The church was home to the shelter for several years, but that changed when it underwent extensive renovations. After those were complete, Delta approached the church to see if it would be open to the idea again.

Delta provided funding for the mattresses, bedding and blankets, while the church provided the space and volunteers to set up and clean. Staff members from Options were on hand when the shelter opened because of the need to have people with training and experience.

A hot meal and warm clothes were offered, as well as a shower, along with a bed for the night. The shelter is able to accommodate up to 10 people.

According to statistics released by Gillian McLeod, corporate social planner for Delta, of the 69 nights that were called, Delta’s shelter was open for 68 of them, hosting clients on 39 nights.

Those clients included 23 men and 41 women, some spending multiple nights at the shelter.

“The pattern this year has been like the pattern three years ago,” said Ladner United Church Rev. Jim Short. “Visibly homeless people do not use the shelter, neither do they come to us looking for help for housing. It is other people.”

Organizers will be looking at ways to improve awareness of the shelter within the community should it open again this winter.

When an alert was called, posters were set up at various places in the community. There was also outreach from other community groups as well as Delta police to ensure those who needed it were brought to the shelter.

The need for more volunteers and volunteer training was also discussed and highlighted as a necessity going forward.

A Delta report on the shelter will be presented to councillors at their meeting Monday night. Once a directive from council is made, discussions will continue with Options as well as BC Housing to decide if funding will be made available to have the shelter open again this winter.

Another community planning meeting will be called following that, likely in August.