Efforts to increase awareness about the Coldest Night of the Year 2024 are already underway with an increase in the area’s unhoused.
The most recent Point in Time count from the province revealed an over 100 per cent increase in unhoused in the Comox Valley, with 272 recorded in March. The increase means local outreach organizations, including Dawn to Dawn and the Comox Valley Transition Society, are feeling increased pressure.
“The numbers speak that it is growing, it’s up double over three years ago,” said Dawn to Dawn president Ray Windsor. “It makes a bigger challenge for both our organizations through the course of the year.”
“The need just continues to grow, and our focus is often on women and 36 per cent of those counted in March 2023 were women,” added Transition Society executive director Heather Ney.
“The funds raised through Coldest Night of the Year have allowed us to shelter and support and provide permanent housing for 23 individuals.”
Both organizations benefit from the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, an annual and national campaign. Last year, they were able to fundraise $194,000 and the goal is to hit $200,000 this year.
Ney adds they also benefit from other partners, like BC Housing and the CVRD and municipalities, to serve the need. However, the high demand brings up difficult emotions for both organizations and their outreach workers who often cannot provide shelter and support to everyone.
“We don’t have enough houses or apartments. Every day our folks are asked ‘Is there a place for me?’,” added Windsor.
“Saying no is a difficult position for them. We’re currently housing, at Dawn to Dawn, 56 people including 15 children in houses and apartments across the valley and that need just keeps growing.”
Ney adds all of her staff feel the strain of not being able to offer somewhere to go and when it is stormy outside, she thinks of how blessed she is to have a roof over her head and lots of food.
This time of year, the biggest need for the organizations is shelter space to help bring people in when it is raining and cold.
With the increase in need, the two organizations are asking the community to prepare for Coldest Night of Year. Fundraising is already underway with 26 teams registered and around eight per cent to the $200,000 goal.
Coldest Night of the Year will happen on Feb. 24 at the Native Sons Hall for the cold weather walk followed by chilli.
More information can be found here.
