Homeless shelters are already filled to capacity and winter hasn’t even officially started yet.
Executive Director for Harvest House Cal Maskery says recently they’ve had to make room for around 25 additional people, to ensure they had a place to stay.
“We just foresee that something is happening in our city that we need to be more prepared and be available for the people that really are in need until other resources can be found. Housing is the best option if we can get them in for at least a few weeks and get them a cheque. Once they have an address they can get a social development appointment and they will cover their rent for them.”
He points out though, that as quickly as they are helping people into rooms, more and more people are seeking shelter.
“Some people coming to a shelter is a hard choice to make and they try to avoid it, maybe because of the stigma. We will probably have more people coming in because of the closures I’m sure, because some people have no place to go. We have never turned anyone away at this point if they are looking to have breakfast and need a place to sleep,” Maskery says.
