The Salvation Army will once again operate an extreme weather response shelter for the Oceanside region, according to a news release from the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness and the Society of Organized Services.
When activated, the extreme weather shelter will be funded by B.C. Housing, the Regional District of Nanaimo Homelessness Action Fund, The Salvation Army and the Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness. Funding for the shelter is available from now until March 31, 2016.
Operated by The Salvation Army and housed in its church at 187 Alberni Highway in Parksville, the shelter will be open from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. on nights of inclement or extreme weather only. Clients will be provided with cots, blankets, pillows, along with an evening meal and breakfast. In the winter of 2014/15, the shelter was open a total of 37 nights due to snow and cold temperatures. Extreme weather conditions are defined as:
• Temperatures near zero with rainfall that makes it difficult or impossible for homeless people to remain dry.
• Sleet/freezing rain.
• Snow accumulation.
• Sustained high winds.
• Temperatures at or below minus-2 Celsius, taking into account wind chill.
— NEWS Staff/SOS