On Saturday, two city of Vancouver buildings will open to those seeking overnight refuge from the cold. Officials say the shelters will provide not only warmth but also a path to permanent housing and support.
This is the first time the city has opened its own buildings in this way, said Jamie Spinelli, the city’s homeless response manager. Today, she and other officials invited media to tour of one of the two buildings that will open overnight, the Vancouver Arts Hub, formerly the Vancouver Community Library, at 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd.
“This is a place that people can come and have a bit of hope that tomorrow will be a better day,” said Ren Autrey, deputy director of Outsiders Inn, the nonprofit that runs overnight winter shelters.
The arts hub will host as many as 45 people every night. A city building at 521 Chkalov Drive will open four nights per week with 15 overnight beds.