Richmond COVID-19 homelessness guide provides assistance

Richmond has a new resource guide for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guide is part of Richmond’s homelessness strategy, developed in collaboration with various community partners. 

It is available through service providers across Richmond and online at richmond.ca/safety/COVID-19/covid-affected-services.htm. 

It outlines resources available to individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, says city spokesperson Clay Adams. Services include meal programs, counselling, crisis lines, bathroom and shower facilities.

Richmond’s homelessness strategy is intended to guide work over a period of ten years (2019-2029). During its creation, the city liaised with a number of community groups and individuals, including residents with lived experience.

At least 70 individuals experience homelessness in Richmond, according to the 2017 Metro Vancouver Homeless Count. Non-profit service providers, who collectively serve over 190 clients experiencing homelessness, estimate the number to be much higher.

People experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic can turn to the following resources for help.

COVID-19 information and services

9-1-1

If you are experiencing any of the following severe COVID-19 symptoms, call 9-1-1 or go directly to the nearest emergency department:

• Severe difficulty breathing

• Severe chest pain

• Having a very hard time waking up

• Feeling confused

• Losing consciousness

Richmond Primary Care Network phone triage service 

• Health information and resources for COVID-19 related concerns

• Line open from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Service available to all Richmond residents in multiple languages at 604-278-9711, extension 4153

HealthLink BC provides a free provincial health information and advice phone line on any COVID-related concerns by calling 8-1-1.

Outreach Services

CHIMO community services 

• Information and support services, including assistance with housing and benefit applications

• Homelessness prevention program

• Rent bank

• Outreach workers available by phone (604-279-7077) or email (chimo@chimoservices.com)

Turning Point Recovery Society—outreach and resource support program

• Outreach support for substance use and mental health programs and services

• Outreach workers on-site at Brighouse Park (corner of Minoru and Granville beside lacrosse box) Monday to Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. handing out bagged lunches and other supplies

• Outreach workers also available by phone (604-644-7247) from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Crisis lines

• CHIMO community services crisis line, open 8 a.m. to midnight every day—call 604-279-7070 for free and confidential crisis support

• Greater Vancouver crisis line, open 24/7—call 604-872-3311 for free and confidential crisis support and suicide intervention

Counselling services

• Richmond mental health and substance use—call 604-204-1111 for all mental health and substance use services in Richmond, through Vancouver Coastal Health

Shelter

• Salvation Army’s Richmond House Shelter (12040 Horseshoe Way) provides emergency shelter space for men and women, as well as three meals a day, recreation activities and other assistance—call ahead to check space availability (604-276-2490)

No or low cost community meals

Church on Five (10200 No. 5 Rd)

• Free take-out meals, Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Richmond Food Bank (5800 Cedarbridge Way)

• Free pre-packed food hampers, Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Seniors Centre at Minoru Centre for Active 

Living (7191 Granville Ave) 

• Low-cost prepared meals for pickup, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

St. Albans Church (7260 St. Albans Rd) 

• Free take-out dinners on Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m.

• Free take-out lunches on Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Free Sunday outreach hamper delivery for homeless, at-risk and single parents

Turning Point Recover y Society
(Brighouse Park Pavilion)

• Free bagged lunches, Monday to Thursday from noon to 1 p.m.

• Free food hamper delivery by appointment to regular house-bound clients only

Toilet and washroom facilities

24 hour portable toilet services:

• 7: City of Richmond Works Yard

• 10: Hugh Boyd Park turf

• 24: Sea Island (Burkeville)

• 36: Lang Park (Saba and Buswell)

Public washrooms with showers, available from 7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset:

• 17: McNair Park

• 19: Minoru Park, by track

• 27: Steveston Community Centre 

Other public washroom facilities available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• 1: Alexandra Park

• 3: Blundell/West Dyke

• 4: Branscombe House

• 8: Garden City North Park

• 9: Garry Point Park

• 14: London Landing/South Dyke

• 16: McLean Park

• 18: Minoru Park, by bowling green

• 21: No. 3 Rd/South Dyke

• 22: No. 7 Rd Pier

• 28: Tait Waterfront

• 29: Terra Nova / North Dyke & Playground

• 30: Terra Nova Middle Arm

• 32: Thomas Kidd

• 33: Middle Arm Park

Other public washroom facilities available from 7 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset

• 2: Blundell Park

• 5: Brighouse Park

• 6: Britannia Shipyards

• 11: King George Park

• 12: London Field House

• 13: London Heritage Farm

• 15: McDonald Beach

• 20: Nature House

• 23: Palmer Fieldhouse

• 25: Scout/Guide Campsite, Woodward’s Landing

• 26: South Arm Park, adjacent to pool

• 31: Terra Nova Park, red barn

• 34: West Richmond Pitch and Putt

• 35: West Richmond Community Centre, exterior east side