City funds additional warming centres for winter 2023/2024

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed December 13, 2023 2:00 PM

Summary

As temperatures drop, the City is taking measures to support Nanaimo unsheltered population by funding three daytime warming centres. The centres will provide refuge to unsheltered individuals during cold weather and connect them to basic needs and services.

Approximately 138 unsheltered individuals will have daily access to three City-funded warming centres:

520 Prideaux Street operated by Risebridge Society - up to 48 people at one time, 7 days per week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., between Nov. 14, 2023 and Mar. 31, 2024;
5 Victoria Road operated by the 7-10 Club Society – up to 30 people at one time, 7 days per week, 11 a.m. to 7 pm., between Dec. 17, 2023 and Mar. 31, 2024; and
2025 Bowen Road operated by Island Crisis Care Society – up to 60 people at one time, 7 days per week, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., between Jan. 2, 2024 to Mar. 31, 2024.

To explore other services offered by the City and various organizations assisting vulnerable populations this winter, visit the “Services and Supports” page on the City website.

Link to Strategic Plan: Warming centre services supports Council’s goal for a Healthy Nanaimo.

Key Points

The establishment of these three daytime warming centres will provide refuge, support and access to basic needs and services for approximately 138 unsheltered individuals during cold weather conditions. In addition, they complement the wide array of supports and services already available through other dedicated organizations.
The City continues to advocate to the Provincial government to provide funding and supports in Nanaimo that matches the scale of the humanitarian crisis in our streets, so that the shelter and health needs of our vulnerable population can adequately be addressed.

Quotes

"Council would like to extend their gratitude to Risebridge, the 7-10 Club Society and Island Crisis Care Society for their willingness to work quickly to establish warming centre services. We are pleased to work with our community partners to provide a warm, safe place for unsheltered people to access during cold weather."

Leonard Krog

Mayor

City of Nanaimo

-30-

Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact:

Communications

City of Nanaimo

250-754-4251

Media.Requests@nanaimo.ca

Print News Release

Is there anything wrong with this page?

Help us improve our website

Don't include private or financial information in this form.

Email Address

What you were doing

What went wrong

Collection and use of your personal information

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Questions about the collection of your personal information may be referred to the Legislative Services Department at 250-755-4405, or via email at foi@nanaimo.ca. Please also see our Privacy Policy.