UGM’s Vancouver shelter hitting capacity ahead of winter months

The Union Gospel Mission (UGM) doesn’t have enough shelter space to keep up with demand.

The organization says since the pandemic, its shelter has been at full capacity most nights and on average, six people per day are turned away.

UGM spokesperson Nicole Mucci says they’ve turned away nearly 2,000 people so far this year.

“While six a night might not sound like a lot, when you consider that each of those six is a human being whose life could be in danger if they’re being turned away during the really cold, really wet weather, it is very frightening for us as we look ahead,” she told CityNews, adding volunteers will always try to find people another place to stay if they can.

Related articles:

• Vancouver shelters concerned about capacity during B.C. storms

• Vancouver’s UGM expands to keep up with heightened pandemic need

Mucci says the UGM had 72 beds before COVID-19 hit, with 20 beds for emergency weather. With more people coming to the group for help over the past couple of years, the UGM has had to expand, with Mucci saying they are now using those emergency beds each night to bring its total up to 92.

The group has also hired more staff.

“As things have progressed from 2020 until now, those 92 beds have been pretty consistently full. What that means and what it tells us is that there is more need than ever before and it’s starting to outpace what’s available, because what used to be emergency spaces are now being used every single night and that’s still not enough,” Mucci explained.

“If things continue at the rate they are, by January 2023, we’re going to be turning away on average probably 18 people a night and even up to 30 on the coldest nights, which is double the amount of people we’re having to turn away this year. That’s dangerous,” she added.

In addition to providing people with shelter and food, the UGM also hands out essentials to those in need.

Volunteers gather many of their donations, such as waterproof jackets, pants, gloves, boots, and emergency blankets, throughout the fall and winter seasons.

Mucci says if the UGM is forced to turn someone away, members will try to equip them with gear to help them through the cold and rainy weather.