The District of Squamish voted unanimously in the Tuesday (Sept. 8) council meeting to provide their support to the Helping Hands homeless drop-in centre being open 24/7 starting Sept. 1.
Earlier the homeless centre, which operates from a district building on Third Street, was open for only five days with two hour lunch time on Thursday and Friday.
The province will now give an annual funding of $373,000 to keep it open round the clock.
The centre would also provide every meal of the day, each day, said Coun. Patricia Heintzman, who has been a volunteer at the centre and also sits on its board of directors.
"I think there are some basic tenets of humanity like food, health and home, and it's amazing how this place becomes home for the homeless," she said.
At the council meeting, Heintzman said it should be made clear that supporting the centre financially is a provincial responsibility.
"This is a provincial mandate to support and the council does not have enough funds to support this," she said.
It's typical of province to start programs, which are then passed on to the community once the funding for them dries up, she said.
MLA Joan McIntyre said the centre would be able to expand its work and help people to break the cycle of homelessness.
"Despite the downturn in the economy, it is paramount to be able to provide assistance to the most vulnerable," she said.
The centre opened its doors in Feb. 2007 after a survey revealed the homeless numbers in Squamish ranged from 40 to 80.
It became available for overnight use in the winter of 2007 and when the Squamish Soup Kitchen closed in April 2009, the facility started providing lunch as well.
Along with lunch, showers, Internet access and laundry facilities are provided. Public health nurse, mental health workers and employment counsellors also visit the centre every other week.
Not everyone, however, seems enthused by the decision.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a neighbour of the centre said the shelter brings people into the area who are seen drinking and indulging in petty crime.
Another neighbour, whose home is up for sale, said the value of his home is affected with the homeless centre being next door.
He said prospective clients notice the police's frequent visits of the centre.
"If you have the same house at other location, buyers will pay more for it," he said.
