Lookout’s 24 hour shelters are much more than a bed and meals, we provide a range of services and support. Basic services include room & board, crisis interventions, access to a phone and internet, laundry, a change of clothing and showering facilities.

Lookout staff also assists shelter users through assessing needs, case planning, liaison/referral services, and advocacy. We help them help themselves and where this proves difficult, we add our resources and expertise.

Many of our clientele cope with serious challenges like mental illness, chronic health conditions and/or addictions, and we try hard to bridge people to treatment services and to access financial supports. (more)

EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER

The Extreme Weather Response program enables communities to temporarily increase the number of emergency shelter beds during extreme weather conditions that threaten the safety and health of homeless individuals and families when the existing emergency shelter beds within the community are overwhelmed.

The Downtown Shelter is located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and provides 46 year round minimum barrier shelter to meet the needs of destitute adult men and women. An increasing trend has been noted of older people, often with disabilities, who are on the streets.

In addition to the basic Lookout services of food, showers, clothing and laundry services, Downtown provides 24 hour, 7 day-a-week support, with staff assessing needs, and linking people with the services each requires to gain long term housing after they leave the emergency shelter.

History
Lookout's first service, the Downtown Shelter opened in 1971, and moved into our purpose built housing in 1982, thanks to a capital grant from Canada Mortgage and Housing.

CENTRAL VANCOUVER - YUKON SHELTER

The Yukon Shelter provides a total of 71 year round minimum barrier shelter beds -- 45 shelter beds in single and double occupancy rooms and an additional 26 dorm style beds.

In addition to the basic Lookout services of food, showers, clothing and laundry services, Yukon provides 24 hour, 7 day-a-week support, with staff assessing needs, linking people with the services each requires to gain long term housing after they leave the emergency shelter.

History
In April 2002, Lookout was pleased to open the first new shelter created with the City of Vancouver in over twenty years. (more)

The North Shore Shelter provides 45 year round minimum barrier shelter beds, and offers up to 20 overflow sleeping mats in extreme weather.

In addition to the basic Lookout services of food, showers, clothing and laundry services, North Shore provides 24 hour, 7 day-a-week support, with staff assessing needs, and linking people with the services each requires to gain long term housing after they leave the emergency shelter.

History
With Lookout having to turn way many men and women because the need outstripped the supply of beds, our Society worked towards establishing shelters in areas of demand. We determined need from trends seen within our Downtown Shelter. (more)

NEW WESTMINSTER - THE RUSSELL

BC Housing purchased the venerable 3 storey College Place Hotel in downtown New Westminster and took possession on January 11, 2008. This purchase saves a significant heritage building and retains up to 55 units of affordable housing in New Westminster.

The Shelter is a 24-hour, year-round, minimal barrier shelter for up to 15 men age 19 and older, which offers meals and information and referral. Shower and laundry facilities are available as well as storage of three items.

The shelter component offers accommodation, food and support services and is supervised by a minimum of two staff at all times. Services include linking shelter residents to the resources that they need to end their homelessness – e.g., health services, housing supports, income assistance and training programs.

This is one more indication of the leadership shown by elected officials in the City of New Westminster and by our provincial government – together we are providing solutions to homelessness!

See our Russell Place Before and After Pictures