Women’s shelter opens in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

A nightly shelter for women experiencing homelessness has opened for the winter on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

The Union Gospel Mission (UGM) says the shelter will help vulnerable women and support workers as the weather gets colder and the demand for shelters increases.

Nicole Mucci with UGM tells The Leader Spirit there are more then 1,000 women experiencing homelessness in Metro Vancouver on a nightly basis.

“As the temperatures continue to drop it’s really important to make sure that there are some women only spaces for the women who are experiencing homelessness in our community to be able to come inside away from the cold and be able to rest,” said Mucci.

Located in the Downtown Eastside, the multipurpose room transforms into an emergency shelter. Amenities the women will receive include fresh pillows and sheets, hygiene items, access to a shower, laundry services, and a container to store belongings.

Mucci says the space was made possible by funding from BC Housing.

“We know that women who are experiencing homelessness and addiction are really at a very high risk for gender-based violence. There is a lot of survival sex work that takes place,” Mucci explained.

The shelter is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and currently has capacity for 20 people.

“We have not yet hit a point where we’ve had to turn anyone away and so if that does happen, I’m sure we will work diligently to ensure that the woman has alternative options of safe places to stay, should that happen.”

The shelter will remain at 616 East Cordova until March 30, but staff hope to find a permanent space soon.

—With files from John Ackermann