The Cowichan Valley Regional District is looking for another venue to house the region’s most vulnerable population this winter to help those who are struggling and unhoused.
According to a report, last winter the emergency warming centre (EWC) behind the Ramada Inn hosted a total of 1,772 clients over 103 nights but they’re not sure if that location will be available going forward.
“Emergency Management Cowichan (EMC) has heard from RCMP and Duncan Bylaw that the location of the 2025 EWC did not create significant additional call volume in the neighbourhood,” the report says. “It’s unknown at this time if this would be available in future years.”
During a committee of the whole meeting on May 14, EMC said housing people in need is in dire need to help those who are most vulnerable in the community survive during winter months.
“Unhoused in our communities is a region wide issue and concern in the CVRD,” EMC says. “There are people in all our communities, large and small, who are struggling with being unhoused.
“Some also suffer from addiction and other mental health challenges.”
Last winter, the warming centre was open from Nov. 15 to Mar. 31 and was operational on nights when local criteria were met.
