Protesters demand homeless shelters stay open during summer

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Protesters demand homeless shelters stay open during summer
The provincial housing minister has met with protesters but the two sides are far apart
Shane Bigham Apr 29, 2011 18:49:51 PM
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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - The province maintains we do not need the temporary winter shelters that have been closing over the last few days, but protesters continue to say the exact opposite. It's clear the two sides are far apart following a meeting today at the BC Housing offices on Terminal Avenue.

Housing minister Rich Coleman says there is nothing the provincial government can do that will make this group of protesters happy.

Coleman says he questions the motivation behind the protest. "It's never enough for them, so they want to find something they can hang their head on every once in a while to be activist about."

But activist Wendy Pedersen says closing the winter shelters is a mistake. "We think you will see more visible homelessness in the city of Vancouver because of this decision over the summer."

Coleman says more than 300 units will open in the next 60 days, and everyone at winter shelters has been offered permanent housing.

Despite that, Pedersen says the low barrier seasonal homeless shelters serve a purpose and they should be kept open year round.