Harbour Light’s shelters provide a safe place of refuge for up to 136 adults every night. Our goal is to offer rest, dignity, and the right resources to meet our guests’ needs and improve their quality of life.
We are grateful for BC Housing’s generous support of our shelter program.
24-Hour Shelters
The Beacon and Haven shelters, located at 108 East Hastings St., offer 24 hour services to accommodate 66 and 34 men, respectively. Guests staying at these shelters are strongly encouraged to collaborate with our dedicated case workers and outreach teams in order to overcome their housing challenges. Our staff members are available to assist guests in various aspects, including job search, access to mental and physical healthcare, housing solutions, social assistance, and other resources aimed at facilitating their transition into long-term housing.
Guests in the Beacon and Haven are served nutritious meals, have access to personal hygiene supplies and laundry services, the Vancouver Coastal Health nursing team, and a diverse slate of job skills, education, and living skills programming.
Overnight Shelter
The Crosswalk shelter, also located at 108 East Hastings, offers a safe, low-barrier overnight shelter for 36 men. The Crosswalk is open from 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m. nightly.
Guests of our Crosswalk shelter have access to showers, and referrals through our outreach team, to supports including healthcare, life skills, treatment programs. These shelters are low-barrier environments, but do not allow drug or alcohol use inside. At the Crosswalk, sandwiches and fresh fruit are served at night. In the morning, guests are provided a bagged lunch when leaving.
Winter Shelter Services
Harbour Light has been a grateful participant in the winter shelter strategy, made possible by partnership between BC Housing and the City of Vancouver.
Since 2004, the Anchor shelter, now located at 119 E Cordova, has provided comfort to clients during the cold, wet winter months. Offering 40 mats for men and women, the Anchor is open from 9pm– 7am during the winter months.
Operating Principles
Our shelters are guided by seven evidence-informed, outcomes-focused Operating Principles:
- We take a person-centered, holistic approach and ensure that people with particular vulnerabilities are supported.
- We help people experiencing chronic and episodic homelessness to access stable, positive housing and appropriate supports.
- We use harm reduction principles to guide services to clients and behaviour-based criteria for restricting access to shelter.
- We ensure people who have high needs receive accompaniment and follow-up services.
- We aim to make every discharge from shelter an organized departure.
- We coordinate services and participate in planning with community partners.
- We track and analyze outcomes to inform planning and policy decisions and continually improve services.
You can help!
Our shelters welcome donations from the community. Our most needed items year-round are new underwear, new socks, toiletries, books, and board games. In the fall and winter, toques, gloves/mittens, rain ponchos, hoodies and “hot hands”-type hand warmers are in high demand. These types of donations can be dropped off at the shelters directly during intake hours, or you can contact us for other options.
Care packages, seasonal/festive decorations, and other donations are often welcome – please get in touch to share your idea with staff so we can ensure the best outcome for your generosity!