Keeping Vancouver's New Fountain Shelter open a no-brainer

Yesterday (April 14), the New Fountain Shelter hosted a 24-hour soccer relay to raise awareness around the pending closure of the shelter on April 30, when funding for the shelter ends. Our low-barrier HEAT shelter has been open for two years, and during that time we have housed over 300 people per week and serve dinner to 40 to 45 homeless people every night. The closure of our shelter would mean homeless people will have to go back to living on the streets of Vancouver. No person in Vancouver that I have spoken to wants that.

The 24-hour soccer tournament was played in Vancouver’s toughest conditions—hail, rain, and even snow. People from everywhere came out to show their support. Tiffany Weimer, the women’s ambassador for the Whitecaps, did the ball drop.

The heart and community that New Fountain has built in the Downtown Eastside has been amazing to see grow. There is nothing like helping someone who has been homeless for years get housing. Our outreach staff are helping people every day. The resources that are saved by providing a space for homeless people are obvious. We get calls frequently from Saint Paul’s Hospital many times a week looking to find a space for someone who shouldn’t be taking up hospital resources. We have lawyers calling us with people who have just gotten out of jail and have nowhere else to go. Should these people be left on the street to fend for themselves or given shelter and supervision to ensure the safety of both them and the general public? We work to find appropriate housing for those who are sick or have mental health issues, those that need our help.

To me this is a no-brainer. I can’t believe we still do not have confirmation that the New Fountain Shelter’s funding will be renewed. This is a battle we cannot lose. There are human lives at stake.

Sarah Blyth is the manager of the New Fountain Shelter and a Vision Vancouver park board commissioner.