Yellowknife homeless day shelter closes

Yellowknife'sday shelter for the homeless will closeits doors Saturday, May 31.

Since it opened in 2009 it has served as a home for many people who didn't have one. Around70people a day spent time at the shelterforwarmth, a meal, or a place to sleep during the day when the Salvation Army overnight shelter is closed.

• Listen to Hilary Bird'sradio documentary on the day shelter

"This place has been a godsend for us homeless," says James Thrasher.

He says he'sunable to work. Hehas arthritis and diabetes andspends his days at the shelter.

The John Howard Society had been contracted by the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority to run the space. But when the society left at the beginning of April, the N.W.T. Disability Council stepped in to run it until the lease on the property ran out at the end of May.

"From what I see, it's just going to be more people downtown wandering around, no place to go," says Eric Wardell, who says he's homeless and used to spendhis days at the shelter.

"Bathrooms in downtown Yellowknife is a big thing for homeless people."

The Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority saysit hopes to have a new day shelter set up by September.