Creston's unhoused population is facing another chilly winter with no temporary housing available.
Winter weather is dangerous to anyone unable to avoid the elements. Freezing temperatures, wind, snow, and rain can quickly turn a night spent outside deadly.
During the polar vortex in January 2023, the old ambulance hall was utilized for overnight protection. A group of concerned citizens, called the Den Society, came together, raised funding, and asked the town to use the space. The contract ended for that space in March.
During a committee of the whole meeting in October, Creston's town council heard from Fire Chief Jared Riel on implementing a temporary winter shelter once again.
"We have a responsibility to do something," Riel said.
He said an Extreme Cold Response Plan can implement an extreme winter weather shelter in the event of specific conditions, such as a temperature of 0 C.
The shelter would provide a safe place to sleep at night, laundry, meals, and would be a drug-free zone.
However, the shelter would only be open during extreme cold events, when the plan is activated. There are no additional supports, such as medical or mental-health care, only sleeping quarters and necessities. Properly trained staff would be required for the shelter.
Alternatively, the town could provide a warming centre instead of a shelter. The warming centre could be staffed and operated overnight. However, there would be no meals or sleeping quarters.
Council decided to enter a public consultation period regarding the potential of winter shelter. Following the consultation period, information will then be presented to council for a decision.
After Riel's presentation and the meeting, protocol was broken in order to hear from the large group of residents present.
Members of the Den Society, the group who helped run Creston's temporary winter shelter last winter, were in attendance and vocal throughout the meeting.
They raised concerns with town council, saying not enough was being done and not quickly enough.
Those who spoke up said the town had ample time to plan for the upcoming winter season and now there are concerns that it's too late.
The Den Society also raised issue with not being listed as the potential group that could help run the extreme winter weather shelter.
In response, town council insisted they are looking at all potential avenues to protect the town’s unhoused population.
