05/01/2026
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Nanaimo will have 24 fewer shelter spaces as of tomorrow, May 1.
Our team has spent the day scrambling for suitcases and tents to give everyone while fighting back tears.
The Risebridge Nanaimo shelter program has been overwhelmingly supportive and successful for the mid-Island community over the past four winter seasons. While no low-barrier operation is without its challenges, our small but mighty organization has achieved tremendous feats—offering a shelter program year after year that has received accolades worldwide and has safely supported even the “hardest to house” with dignity and genuine community care.
We all know that our province is facing significant budget and affordability constraints across the board, and nonprofit organizations are no exception.
Despite this, we were hopeful for the opportunity to avoid closing our shelter program for several months, only to reopen again in the winter. We recognize how challenging this cycle is for both staff and community members who depend on the program year-round, regardless of the weather. This is largely due to the severe lack of other services, as well as limited health and housing options, in our region.
So How did we get here?
Two other organizations in Nanaimo where granted the opportunity to begin operating a daytime drop-in program, similar to what we previously offered in Nanaimo, along with an annual overnight shelter contract with BC Housing at a similar capacity. Prior to that, Risebridge had been in discussions with BC Housing to transition our very successful and well operated seasonal shelter contract into a year-round one. However, that opportunity was taken off the table once the other program began.
A seasonal shelter is better than no shelter at all, and so we worked desperately as a team through fundraising efforts and renewed advocacy commitment to at least keep that option open over the past two years in Nanaimo.
Everyone knows that services and shelter are desperately needed in the mid-Island community, and we are proud of how much we have been able to offer in this area so far. While we beilive there to be room for all the current agencies to be operating at full capacity and then some, we again recognize the political and funding barriers that exist. The intention and values behind the Risebridge collective have always been to ensure that something is available to those who are most vulnerable and marginalized, regardless of funding opportunities or otherwise.
Unfortunately, that other program was short-lived. With no new location for them to operate from found so far, Risebridge was once again hopeful last year—and was told it was a possibility—that we could continue operating our 24 shelter beds in the interim for this year , using funding that had already been allocated to our region through BC Housing.
Despite all advocacy efforts and attempts to get answers, we have not received any response regarding an extension of our shelter contract—and today is the last day of our funding.
Despite currently sheltering more than 24 highly vulnerable community members each night, who have nowhere else to go, and feeding and supporting nearly 300 individuals each week through our daytime drop-in volunteer program Nanaimo , we are being forced to once again close the doors of our Nanaimo location in less than 24 hours—perhaps this time for good?
If there was ever a time to advocate and ask for better for the Nanaimo community, it is now.
Please consider helping us in asking our community leaders: why?
Why are we closing shelter beds at a time of such desperation?
Why are we allowing yet another nonprofit organization to shut down when resources are already so overstretched?
How does Nanaimo have fewer services and supports than it did five years ago?
According to many experts in the field, when viewed at a hyper-local level, this crisis is more severe here than anywhere else in the province right now.
We need shelter—now.
We need accessible food and adequate survival resources—now.
Dear mid-Island residents: you may notice more people on the streets again. It’s going to be very hot this weekend, and the risk to already vulnerable individuals being unsheltered again—and losing the care and stability they’ve had—is extremely high.
Please be kind.
People are not choosing to sleep on sidewalks or outside the library. They would choose differently if they could. Unfortunately, that option does not exist for many right now.
Yes, new housing projects have been developed in the community over the past while-but it is not enough.
Yes, the New Hope Centre is opening a new space soon downtown—but it will barely make a dent.
Everyone on the frontlines cares deeply and is doing their best.
We are also burnt out, exhausted, and disheartened by the desperate conditions that have developed, particularly in the mid-Island region.
We have moved beyond simply calling this a housing and homelessness crisis, or a toxic drug crisis. This is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis— especially n Nanaimo- and it is not okay.
Please help us and those losing their shelter and safe space in community tomorrow by emailing decision-makers, knocking on doors, sharing this post, and donating if you are able.
Monetary donations can be sent via e-transfer to [email protected] and will go directly toward food and operational needs to keep our supports running as long as possible. If this is in your capacity - it would be deeply appreciated at this time ( and yes - we promise we are still working on/ hoping for our federal charity status very soon! )
We are also in urgent need of summer clothing, shoes, sunscreen, backpacks, and suitcases.
Let’s put politics and personal differences aside and find a way to take ethical action—together, once again. Too many lives, and the safety of our entire community, depend on it.
We stand with everyone on the frontlines who are feeling the weight of this right now. And we extend deep gratitude to our incredible team members and volunteers who continue to persevere through immense challenges to provide the best possible support to so many.
We will share updates over the coming days as we can 💔
Your support and advocacy mean everything.
