The new shelter at 3030 Gordon Avenue in Coquitlam is feeling the affects of the housing affordability crisis as dozens of new clients needing a room and food have been homeless for less than a year.
These are people who have little savings and find themselves on the street typically after a mental or family breakdown, said Sean Spear, associate director with RainCity Housing, which operates the shelter.
About half or 29 of these newly homeless are from Coquitlam, while the rest of the 61 people who have been homeless less than a year are from Port Coquitlam (18) and Port Moody (2).
In all, the shelter has helped 124 people since it opened in December, 2015.
Spear said the affordability issue is a concern, as is poverty, drug use and overdoses, which have been declared a public health issue.
"We are dealing with challenges and it coincided with the time we are opening here," Spear said.
His comments mirror concerns raised by the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Group in its April, 2016 report.
The document notes the purchase price of the average home has increased "dramatically" since 2012 and Coquitlam is the second worst performer in the rental housing index, with an overall rating of "critical." Because incomes have not kept pace with the cost of rent and utilities, overcrowding is a problem and people are paying more than they can afford (more than 30% of their income on shelter costs).
Port Coquitlam and Port Moody have "severe" ratings.
