$40 fee for some at Happy Valley-Goose Bay homeless shelter

An emergency shelter should be a last resort, and anew facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is charging a fee to make sure it stays that way.

• Long-delayed emergency shelter opens in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Individuals with an income will be charged $40 to stay the night at 8 Hillcrest Rd., where there's access to a bed, shower, common room, laundry services and breakfast.

The rate is "in line" with what's charged at other shelters across the country according to Newfoundland and Labrador Housing's Director of Policy and Research, Morley Linstead.

"We just have to have some sort of accountability mechanism attached to it," he told CBC's Labrador Morning.

"Such that, you know, we are, even ourselves, encouraged to actively help people to move into permanent accommodations which would benefit everybody."

Cheaper than a hotel, saysSalvation Army

People who stay at the shelter have to go through an assessment process. That's when, among other things, their ability to pay is determined.

If they can't afford the rate, Linstead saidthey won't be turned away they'll be given lodging and connected to resources.

In cases where a person is already receiving support, the organization or government department involved will be charged $85 per night for the individual's stay.

The Salvation Army is an example of an organization that would be charged.

"Pretty much every shelter that I've ever had any dealings with, there's always been a fee associated," said Salvation Army Captain Brent Haas who saidhe's dealt with facilities in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia and other parts of the Newfoundland and Labrador.

He says $85 is "less than what we would pay for most hotels" which is where the church in Happy Valley-Goose Bayhad been housing peopleprior to the shelter's opening.