Emergency Out of the Cold Homeless Shelter (91.9 The Bend photo)
Given the bitter cold recently, Moncton’s temporary homeless shelter in the former Assomption fire hall has been seeing a full house.
While the numbers were small when it first opened in December, the shelter now has about 50 clients per night.
YMCA spokesperson Lisa Ryan says the shelter doesn’t want to turn anyone away who needs a roof over their heads.
“We don’t close the shelter if it’s -15 C. So with the wind chill being as cold as it has been, we’ve had to remain open to keep guests safe. We’ve been operating 24-7 for the past week or so,” she notes.
On some nights, Ryan says not enough cots are available so couches and Lay-Z-Boy chairs are used as substitutes.
Since it has been so cold, she adds many clients don’t even venture out during the daytime.
The shelter has enough funding to operate until March 31st.
Ryan adds affordable housing options for clients are being examined beyond that date but she admits there’s not much available in our region.
