I recently visited fellow BCGEU members who work at the homeless shelter at 201 Central Street in Vancouver. The shelter is operated by the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society. Its funding and funding for several similar facilities will run out on April 30.

April 6, 2010 - It doesn't take long to realize the difference this shelter is making in the lives of the folks staying here. Many have jobs and want to support themselves. The shelter provides wake-up calls, bagged lunches and hot meals. It's trying to keep these folks off the street in a clean, safe and stable environment.

Some fortunate shelter residents have moved into affordable housing that has recently become available. But, demand exceeds the supply. Many of these folks simply cannot find an affordable place to live.

For many years, the B.C. government ignored the affordable housing file. Some recent attention has been paid to it, but more needs to be done to help vulnerable people secure housing and get back into the workforce, if they don't have jobs.

We all know homelessness is a problem that can be solved with more affordable housing. Until that housing becomes available, we need to keep shelters open.

Closing shelters and forcing people back onto the streets is short-sighted. It's a huge step backwards. We've made good progress on homelessness on the Lower Mainland. But, we need to continue the good work of the shelters so people like those at 201 Central can get the support and stability they need.

A short while ago, housing minister Rich Coleman stated that funding could be found to keep the shelter open. I am now calling on Coleman to follow through and make funding available now so the folks staying at this shelter know they'll have a place to sleep on May 1 and beyond.

Darryl Walker

BCGEU President