Cold cash for winter shelters

Photo: Carmen Weld

Enjoy the mild weather while you can, as it’s an indisputable fact that winter is right around the corner.

Cold weather shelters are gearing up in the Okanagan and at least one will receive some much needed support from the provincial government.

“We have a contract for 10 beds, it’s an annual contract. So when the shelter is full… and the temperature is below minus 1 (degree), then the extreme weather response program is activated,” says Kelly Fehr, manager of shelter services with the John Howard Society in Vernon.

Their cold weather program is already in effect, and will continue until the end of March, each day from 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. and it is first come, first serve.

“The most we’ve ever had in that program is eight. However over the past year, the shelter has been busier than it’s ever been,” says Fehr.

“We’ve been turning away more people than we’ve ever turned away, so we’re hoping that will be enough, and if it's not, we’re making contingency plans.”

Fehr says the funding is based off of billing, so the amount the John Howard Society gets depends on how many nights they’re open, and that money will basically go towards staffing.

The government has said it will provide $1.6 million this winter to help 90 communities around the province with additional shelter spaces.