VICTORIA --
Campers sheltering in Victoria parks began moving into the new Russell Street shelter in Vic West on Monday.
The shelter will house up to 60 people in individual pods, according to Our Place director Grant McKenzie.
The shelter will provide wraparound support and meals for those living there. It will have a safe consumption site, showers, laundry facilities and 24-hour security.
Neighbourhood resident Tony Young says the arrival of a shelter in the neighbourhood was a surprise.
“This is a shock to us still,” said Young, adding that the community is bracing for the worst.
“There are things that are going to happen and there’s probably going to be more criminal activity,” said Young. “Drug use and so forth and we’re concerned about that.”