Cold weather shelters in Williams Lake are seeing a consistent increase in overnight stays.
Shane Boxeur, Shelter Coordinator for the Cariboo Friendship Society, says traditionally participation in the shelters has been “spotty” from locals.
“Sometimes you will get the odd person staying for an extra hour,” says Boxeur. “Then they will go find something to do; it doesn’t matter how cold it is. A lot of them will find a place with a relative or something like that.”
Boxeur says that while the locals have come and gone, visitors needing shelter throughout the winter seasons have remained consistent.
“We get a lot of out-of-towners. We’d probably have one or two a month from out of town coming into Williams Lake. Since COVID we’ve been having three or four a week. A lot from the Okanagan.”
There are two overnight cold weather shelters in Williams Lake, the Cariboo Friendship Society, and the Hamilton Inn, operated by the CMHA.
Both shelters offer 30 overnight beds through the winter, and provide three meals for overnight stayers. They also provide services that will connect visitors with health and social services.
Boxeur adds, that there are often beds still available at the Cariboo Friendship Shelter as they do not admit people under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and they see people leave.
“Our hardcore street people come in and out,” Boxeur says. “Their addictions get the best of them, and they leave to feed their addictions.”
The Cariboo Friendship Society Shelter and the Hamilton Inn will remain open during the day when the weather is minus 20 degrees or below.
Williams Lake has multiple warming locations for those in need, whether homeless or not.
The locations are: Cariboo Memorial Complex, Salvation Army, All Nation Healing House, Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, Canadian Mental Health, and Interior Health.
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