Temporary shelter opens doors to city's homeless

Calgary's temporary homeless shelter opened Monday afternoon in a southeast industrial park, even though only about a quarter of the spaces are ready.

The shelter run by the Mustard Seed Street Ministry was slated to open Nov. 1, but thatwas delayed by a late shipment of heating and ventilation equipment.

Work continues on the converted warehouse, which will be a place to sleep for 370 men and women when it's finished. Organizers said Monday there is room right now for about 100 people.

"We have mats for people to sleep on and we will be providing them meals. We have a computer lab when they first come in," said Diana Schwenk, development officer for the Mustard Seed, adding that many of the clients work, but can't afford their own apartments.

Buses will transport some of the city's 4,000 estimated homeless people from the Mustard Seed's downtown location to the shelter in the Foothills Industrial Park every afternoon, and then back downtown in the mornings.

Some say they're grateful for the change of location.

"Because there's just too much going on downtown. It's getting too violent, too many drugs, you're hearing of too many murders," said Tara Vaters. "Too close to too many liquor stores and I have a problem with that, so I'm glad to be out here, away from all that."

The shelter will remain closed during the day except to those who work night shifts or those who are sick. The facility will stay open 24 hours a day when the temperature dips below –15 C.

The temporary shelter is scheduled to close in April, but there will be a city review next year to determine if it should remain open year-round.

The Foothills building replaces last winter's temporary shelterin the old Brick building on Centre Street, which has since been torn down.