Summerside shelter faces persistent demand and calls for expansion

Summerside's 10-bed emergency shelter has been at or near capacity since June, and the provincial government says it has no plans to expand while making overflow beds available in emergencies.

Summerside's emergency shelter provides 10 beds and has been used heavily since it opened in fall 2024. The manager of a nearby men's shelter said her 10-bed facility is frequently full and usually has a small waitlist. Local service providers report the provincial emergency shelter has been at full capacity nearly every month since June. Key facts: - The provincially operated Summerside shelter has a 10-bed capacity and has been at or near full capacity since June, the article reports. - The province said it has no plans to expand the shelter's capacity and that overflow beds are made available in emergencies. - The P.E.I. Housing Corporation issued a request for proposals for the Park Street shelter seeking a non-profit organization to operate it, and the government reported 67 individuals were placed into housing in 2024. Summary: Limited shelter capacity has left some demand unmet, according to shelter staff and local advocates. The government reports continued use of overflow beds and no current plan to expand the Summerside facility. A noted procedural step is the request for proposals for the Park Street shelter to transfer operations to a community non-profit.