VANCOUVER - Supporters of the New Fountain Shelter kicked off a 24-hour marathon this morning to try to save the emergency facility.

The shelter, run by PHS Community Services, offers low-barrier, year-round temporary housing for people labelled "the hardest to house due to mental illness, addiction or other factors." Provincial funding from BC Housing is slated to end April 30, which the PHS calls "effectively evicting the homeless."

Residents, shelter staff and supporters of the New Fountain have taken to a mini-pitch outside the Vancouver Art Gallery in an effort to raise awareness of the crisis. Among the residents playing are members of Portland FC, which sent a team to the Homeless World Cup in Rio last year.

Players will be kicking up a fuss for housing for the next 24 hours - until 7:45 Friday morning.  Throughout the day the organizers have live music and entertainment beside the soccer pitch - Play On!

For more information see 24-hour soccer marathon