Vancouver mayor promises tighter rules at contentious shelters

Vancouver will tighten the rules at two controversial "low barrier" shelters after numerous complaints from neighbours, Mayor Gregor Robertson promised Thursday.

The shelters — called "low barrier" because they have more relaxed rules about pets, possessions, intoxication and other behaviour often banned by traditional homeless shelters — are located at 1435 Granville St. and 1422 Howe St., a predominantly residential neighbourhood.

At a news conference, Robertson promised shelter staff will now be more selective about whom they admit; those using drugs in and around the shelter will be kicked out, and shelter users will not be allowed out of the buildings without supervision.

Robertson said he hopes the changes will help appease area residents, who have been very vocal with their complaints about the shelters, which they say were supposed to be temporary measure during an unusually cold winter.

"The state of tension and fear that exists in that neighbourhood cannot continue," Robertson said. "It is pitting the needs of the homeless against those of the residents, and it needn't be the case. The two are not mutually exclusive."

Robertson said the city is also counting on funding from the province to keep the shelters open through next winter. 

At the news conference, the mayor asked the provincial government to provide $5 million a year for five years to deal with the homeless in the city. Robertson said the money would allow Vancouver to keep several shelters open while developing a long-term plan to house the homeless.

He said the shelters have helped reduce crime and street disorder and improve the health of shelter users.

Provincial government funding for some shelters runs out at the end of the month.