Controversial homeless shelter reopens

A controversial emergency shelter in Vancouver that closed last year because of public opposition will reopen Wednesday.

City officials made the announcement at a media briefing in the city on Tuesday.

The 36-bed shelter was shut down last June after residents in the upscale neighbourhood on the north side of False Creek complained it created too many problems.

Officials say the shelter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will close by the end of April.

The city will hold an open house on Jan. 20 to brief neighboursaboutit and to provide them with emergency contact information.

City officialssaid at the time the shelter would re-open if those concerns could be sufficiently addressed.

The shelter is one of two "low barrier"housing complexesin the city. They have more relaxed rules around behaviour often banned by traditional homeless shelters such as being intoxicated.

The shelters located at 1435 Granville St. and 1422 Howe St. are both in predominantly residential neighbourhoods.