-B.C. has 26 communities with an Extreme Weather Response Program-

OSOYOOS TIMES-January 14, 2009-

By Diane Zo

Special to the Osoyoos Times

Tents are not recommended winter shelter, but Osoyoos has two people living in tents at Gyro Park.
One of the temporary residents, who identifies himself as Richard, said, I don't mind camping. I used to be a Boy Scout so I can take care of myself.
He said he once worked in the far north where temperatures were much colder, but he came south in hopes of finding a job on a ranch or farm.
Now, I'll take anything, he said. I have a Grade 12 education and I don't drink and I don't do drugs.rnUnfortunately, he is one of the estimated 15,000 homeless in B.C. forced to live on the streets.
When the temperature drops and the wind blows, even the people in tents seek the warmth of shelters, but Osoyoos has no plan in place to allow them to come in out of the cold.
The provincial Ministry of Housing and Social Development reports there are 26 communities across the province with an Extreme Weather Response Program that allows access to emergency beds during bad weather.
And BC Housing is willing to partner with communities by making funds available for emergency shelter, food and cleaning costs.
So Pastor Phil Johnson of the Osoyoos Baptist Church addressed Osoyoos town council on Dec. 15, asking for the Town to set an emergency plan in place by allowing use of the Cactus Centre, a public works storage facility off of Kingfisher Drive, during severe weather.
Town council decided to discuss the idea with the planning department, but with the next council meeting not until Jan. 19, Johnson worries that does not meet the urgency of the situation.
I understand that the town may not want to get involved with the social responsibility, but whose responsibility is it? he said. The churches are willing to partner, but we need a facility. The Cactus Centre is central, warm and an ideal location, we just need permission to use it.
Meanwhile we have people living in tents when the weather reaches -20.rnMayor Stu Wells explained that part of the delay was due to the holiday season, but there are important issues that need to be addressed before they approve the use of the building.
We need to be sure there is adequate fire protection and that there are fire alarms, he said. From the town's perspective it has to be done right.rnPaul Edwards, a counsellor with BC Mental Health and Addictions working for Interior Health, said he knows that there are a number of people living on the verge of homelessness in this area with nowhere to go.
Many of them, he added,rnare couch surfing or moving from place to place and staying in less than ideal situations. 
It would be nice if there was some place for them in extreme weather, Edwards said,rnadding that he sees a need for the town and other service providers to create a resource that would help people seeking shelter and he sees the Cactus Centre as one viable option.
Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski, commander of the Osoyoos-Oliver RCMP detachment, said that police are aware that there is a need out there for shelter, but people in those circumstances tend not to contact police directly.  rnThey choose instead to notify a church or the Town for help, he said.
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