Winter has hit Victoria, which means cold nights and rainy weather are upon us.
For most people it's easy enough to dry out, but it's very hard for the homeless population who have to deal with the wet and cold day and night.
Our Place Society's Linda McLean says wintery weather can pose serious risks to people's health.
"We certainly get very concerned when we have low temperatures, but we also get concerned when it's really wet. Because you know hypothermia's a reality, even though the temperature's above zero, if you're outside for hours at a time and can't get dry. Often our family members are really not in the greatest physical conditions in the first place, they may be under the influence; they may have really serious health concerns; they may have mobility issues that make it impossible for them to walk at any pace that could generate warmth in the body; and often they are on concrete, which is brutal for the body."
Emergency Weather protocol, a lifesaving measure used in very poor weather, has been activated, which allows shelters and organizations to open extra shelter beds.
Our Place Society, and other organizations across the CRD have been able to provide extra mats, but McLean says they still have to turn people away every night.
She adds that not everyone wants to stay in a shelter :
"We do have people who are rough sleeping, who've been in that situation for so long that they have developed a real distrust. They may have real challenges with coming indoors, especially when you're in a crowded shelter environment. Because of anxiety, because of mental health issues, because of previous experiences or conflicts they've had with other users of services, and that's tough."
McLean says it really helps if they could go out and do outreach to the people who avoid shelters, but Our Place doesn't have a van to do those runs this year.
McLean adds that Our Place is always accepting donations, and this is the time of year that they really need people to chip in. She says blankets and sleeping bags are always needed, but with the wet winter weather, they also need waterproof clothes, boots, tarps, and warm clothes.
She says a donation of old clothes and blankets can go a long way for someone who has to sleep outside in the wet and the cold.