Seven groups vying to run Coquitlam's new homeless shelter will have to wait until the end of the year to find out if they're successful.
The application process closed last week for organizations wanting to operate the shelter and transitional housing facility planned for 3030 Gordon Ave., located behind Christmas Way.
And soon, representatives from BC Housing, the city of Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities' Homelessness Task Force will meet to sift through the bids and decide on a winner.
A spokesperson with B.C.'s Ministry of Housing declined to name the groups that filled out the paperwork but last month, Rob Thiessen of the Hope For Freedom Society, which has outreach programs for the homeless in the Tri-Cities, told The Tri-City News his group would be among the applicants.
The proposal evaluation will happen in three stages, the ministry spokesperson said, and in the final assessment, the bids will be rated on a five-point system; as well, BC Housing may request interviews with the shortlisted candidates.
Although capital funding for 3030 Gordon has still not been announced, "the province is committed to working with the city to develop the shelter and fund the construction of this facility," the spokesperson said via an email. "We are still in the early planning stages and will be able to provide more information in the coming weeks."
Meanwhile, five Tri-City churches will deliver the cold/wet weather mat program to the homeless again this winter.
As in the past three years, volunteers at the Coquitlam Alliance Church, Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship and Calvary Baptist Church in Coquitlam, plus Port Coquitlam's Northside Foursquare Church and St. Andrew's United Church in Port Moody will provide meals and temporary accommodation to those in need.
