SUPPORTS ITEM NO. 3
CS&B AGENDA
NOVEMBER 28, 1996
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: Nov. 13, 1996
Dept. File No. 3354
TO: Standing Committee on City Services
and Budgets Committee
FROM: Manager of the Housing Centre
SUBJECT: Grant Request for a Temporary Winter Shelter
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve a grant equal to 20% of the final budget to a
maximum of $50,000 for a temporary shelter to be operated by
Lookout Emergency Services Society at 8982 Hudson St. between Dec.
1, 1996 and May 31, 1997, subject to a matching grant from the
Province (plus free rent), and subject to approval of the necessary
permits, with funding to be provided from the Demolition Fee
Reserve.
GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services recommends approval of
the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council s housing policies are to provide housing opportunities
throughout the City for individuals and families of all incomes, with
priority to low-income families with children, the disabled, seniors,
and low-income downtown singles. The Affordable Housing Fund was
established to support affordable housing initiatives by providing
grants to ensure projects are viable.
A grant requires 8 votes of Council.
PURPOSE
This report recommends that Council approve a grant of up to $50,000 so
that Lookout Emergency Services Society can reopen the temporary
emergency shelter it operated last year in Marpole at 8982 Hudson St.
The location is noted on Appendix A.
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BACKGROUND
There are currently 12 facilities in Vancouver that provide 286 shelter
beds, and 23 facilities with 379 beds in the region as a whole. There
has been little change in the total in Vancouver since 1982. At the
same time there has been a 40% increase in the region s population. The
use of shelters has increased steadily to the point where 95% of the
available beds are occupied, and increasing numbers of people seeking
shelter are turned away because of lack of space. Lookout and Triage
have seen an increase in turnaways from 2,000 in 1993/94 to 4,000 in
1995/6, of which 60% were turned away because no bed was available.
The problem is particularly acute in the winter when cold drives the
homeless to seek shelter. Since 1989, the City has opened the Evelyne
Saller Centre for overnight shelter during cold snaps, and last year it
opened the Gathering Place. These facilities are open for 5-10 days a
winter depending on the severity of the weather.
Most of the shelters are in the Downtown Eastside, and the supply of
beds appears to be sufficient to provide for the homeless population in
the area or those who choose come to the area. It has been recognized
for some time that the greater need is outside the Downtown Eastside,
outside the downtown and outside the City of Vancouver. That the
Gathering Place was almost full on the nights it was open indicates the
need outside the downtown.
DISCUSSION
Lookout has been promoting a shelter outside the downtown for some time.
Last year, with increasing demand during the winter months, it sought a
temporary solution while a permanent solution was pursued. It was able
to lease, rent free, the former remand centre at 8982 Hudson St. in
Marpole. The centre is owned by the Province who will be selling it
once various issues such as land claims are resolved.
Lookout operated the shelter at 8982 Hudson for the 4 months from
February to May of 1996. The shelter has a capacity for 50 people.
They accommodated a total of 343 individuals over that period of time
and operated at 90% occupancy for a total of 5445 bed-nights. They
operated a shuttle from the downtown to the shelter, but most of those
accommodated were not from the downtown; the downtown was where they
ended up in the absence of shelters outside the area. Of those
accommodated 16% were from Vancouver, 4% from the region,
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3% from the Province, 71% from elsewhere in Canada, and 6% from outside
Canada. Most of those from outside BC were caught in the 3 month delay
before migrants to the province are eligible for welfare.
The total budget for the 4 months of operation was $120,000. Most of
the funding came from the Real Estate Foundation. The funding covered 2
staff 24 hours a day but did not provide for supplies or any support.
Cold food, such as sandwiches, and coffee was provided. Supplies such
as furniture, linens, sleeping bags, washer/dryer, fridges, cups,
clothing, etc. were provided through donations. The budget was just
sufficient for a very basic operation.
The shelter operated successfully for the 4 months, with a high degree
of neighbourhood support. Community members assisted with cooking,
cleaning and helping residents find work. The City supported the
operation by facilitating the necessary permits, and relaxing
regulations that would have been difficult to satisfy.
Lookout wants to reopen the temporary shelter at 8982 Hudson this
winter. They want to operate it for 6 months commencing in December.
Their letter is attached as Appendix B. They are seeking funding from a
variety of sources, and are seeking a total budget of $390,000 to
provide a third staff person during peak periods, and a cook and kitchen
help so hot food can be served. The budget would also cover
administration costs which Lookout subsidized last year but cannot
continue to do. The proposed budget of $390,000 is reasonable for the
services proposed, but a lower budget would still allow the shelter to
be opened at lower service levels. The $390,000 assumes they can rent
the premises from the Province for free as they did last year.
Donations would continue to be sought.
A temporary shelter is not a preferred solution, but in the absence of a
permanent solution, it is an appropriate response to meet the needs of
the homeless over the winter and spring. Lookout and other shelter
providers are continuing to work with the Province and municipalities
such as the City of Vancouver on a permanent response to the need for
shelters.
It is recommended that the City provide a grant to Lookout for the
operation of a temporary shelter at 8982 Hudson St. It is important
that the Province be at least equal partners, and that other partners
such as the Real Estate Foundation provide additional funding.
Consequently it is recommended that Council approve a grant of 20% of
the final budget up to a maximum of $50,000, subject to a matching grant
plus free rent from the Province. The source of funds would be the
Demolition Fee Reserve.
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