An interim 24-hour women’s shelter will open in the Downtown Eastside next week, the B.C. government announced today.

The 26 low-barrier, women-only shelter beds will be operated by St. James Community Service Society at 329 Powell Street.

The building is home to the permanent location of Powell Place Women’s Shelter, which was temporarily relocated and doubled in size to 52 beds in 2010.

Renovations are being planned for 329 Powell Street, but St. James Community Service Society executive director Jonathan Oldman said the organization is “thrilled the empty space will be put to some good use before that time”.

“Clearly there’s a need for more women-only shelter beds this winter, and we’re grateful for B.C. housing and the minister to make it possible that we can offer some more service,” he told the Straight by phone.

Oldman said the facility will be operated at least through the winter.

“I think the initial period is through to March 31st, and then we’ll be discussing further with B.C. Housing around beyond that,” he said. “We’re certainly hoping to start renovations on that space by next fall.”

According to a news release issued by the B.C. housing ministry today, the location is an interim space to address immediate needs until a more permanent location can be identified.

A coalition of Downtown Eastside groups has been calling for additional 24-hour emergency shelter spaces for women in the area since early this year.

"The Province made a commitment earlier this year to address the concerns of women in need of shelter in the Downtown Eastside,” said housing minister Rich Coleman in the news release. “We worked with the community to get this space operating as quickly as possible."

The province also recently allocated funding to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre shelter at the Life Skills Centre to extend its hours from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily, to 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. Monday to Friday, and 24/7 on weekends.

The interim Powell Street shelter will be open on Monday (November 28). The 24-hour facility will also provide meals and access to support services.

St. James Community Service Society currently operates two emergency shelters in Vancouver, Powell Place and St. Elizabeth's in Mount Pleasant, which serves women with children.