A safe, clean place to sleep is a basic human right, and a major health issue that many take for granted.

That’s according to Joanne Thompson, the Executive Director of The Gathering Place.

Thompson says for people who are homeless or living in unsafe housing, a clean, comfortable bed, and knowing they’re safe from violence and theft means everything. She says on any given day she will pass people curled up on a chair or in the corner sleeping because they were up all night.

If a person exhibits challenging behaviours, more often than not, it’s because of sleep deprivation. She says a night’s sleep is a fundamental health issue.

Thompson says when someone looks you in the eye and tells you that the only time they get a good night’s sleep and they feel safe is when they hear the “click” of their cell door, that tells her that there is a problem.

The number of people making use of The Gathering Place has increased dramatically over the last few years. Thompson says while independence is ideal, the ultimate goal is to ensure that people are living their highest form of being.