As snow settled on much of Sechelt, St. Hilda’s Anglican Church opened its doors on Feb. 23 to some of the people who had been displaced by a fire at the Upper Deck shelter earlier this month.
The temporary shelter has been set up at 5850 Barnacle Street in coordination with BC Housing, RainCity, the District of Sechelt and the Town of Gibsons. The annex at St. Hilda’s can accommodate up to 20 people, an email from BC Housing states. Staff and security will be at the site at all times. The temporary location will operate for three to six months as the Wharf Avenue site is under repair.
According to an earlier statement from BC Housing, 34 people were staying at the shelter on Wharf Avenue when, in the early hours of Feb. 7, a fire started. Extensive water damage from the sprinklers has forced the closure of the building, which also housed the overdose prevention site and Angelo’s Pizza.
As for the remaining people, BC Housing, Rain City, Sechelt and Gibsons “continue to work on identifying secondary space… In addition to those who are relocated to St. Hilda’s Church Annex, other individuals who have accepted relocation offers will continue to be supported as necessary in neighbouring projects such as High Tide supportive housing, Gibsons supportive housing and the Gibsons Shelter,” a Feb. 24 email from BC Housing said. “Those who have accepted relocation offers will continue to have access to support services they were receiving prior to the fire.”
With files from Connie Jordison
