When the weather turns cold like this - shelter becomes essential. And for those without a fixed address, the situation is life and death. K’san’s Vicky Serafini says that in the past few years, the numbers have been rising.
“We’ve definitely seen an increase in the numbers of people experiencing homelessness. There is a misconception that folks are being brought in from other communities, the Lower Mainland. That’s simply not true. When people are coming from outside of Terrace, they’re coming from the region. So they’re coming from those smaller communities that Terrace already services. And a lot of the people that are now starting to access shelters or even access our food services are folks that have lived in Terrace, are living in Terrace, and they’re just being squeezed out essentially.”
Outreach worker with the Gitlax̱dax Nisg̱a’a Terrace Society Angie Brown says the lack of second-stage and available low-income housing creates huge barriers to actually getting people off the streets.
“You know, if anybody would just sit down with them, you’d be able to talk all day long. Like they’re really good people, and they’re just lost. They just need to get back up on their feet. As long as you’re there beside them and not standing over them and everything like that. You know, like everybody would be… I would say everybody would have a different perspective of our people that are on the street.”
A temporary overnight winter shelter has been operating at K’san’s Turning points location in Terrace this season, providing 10 extra beds for the winter, says Serafini.
“We are using the Lakelse shelter, the temporary winter shelter, as an overnight only shelter. It’s also an overflow option for us. So, if an individual is seeking shelter and they’re able to access the south side shelters, we will find them transportation to get them there.”
Brown mentioned that deaths in the past few years have been significant.
“We have a big family, like, like we don’t call everybody that’s on the street, just like ‘our clients’. They’re our friends, they’re family. And, you know, we build a very close relationship. So it really hits deep when this happens. It happened too many times, you know, like you don’t leave your dog outside. Why can’t we bring our people in when it’s freezing? Why does it have to be minus freakin’ eight before we open up a warming center? Why does it have to be like, freezing? What about the rain? That rain like… You’re soaking wet. Even if it’s not minus eight. If it’s minus two and you’re soaked, you’re going to freeze. Why do we have to wait until tragedy hits before we help anybody?”
The temporary winter shelter will remain open for overflow needs until March 31st. Both organizations accept donations, and handwarmers, gloves, and hats were top of the list. K’san is also looking for donations of snacks, and Gitlaxdax Nisga’a Terrace Society said that coats and warm clothes are accepted there.