Extreme weather response shelters across B.C. open their doors as temperatures take a dip

With temperatures across the province dropping, a number of extreme weather shelters have opened across B.C.

Each Metro Vancouver community has an extreme weather response plan in place.

But according to the Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy, there is an overarching definition of what constitutes extreme weather in Metro Vancouver.

It is defined as “conditions deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life and/or health of people who are homeless.”

Specific criteria include temperature, rain, snow and wind. So when these conditions are met, the extreme weather response kicks in.

The provincially funded Extreme Weather Response program provides people and families with a warm, dry place to sleep during extreme weather conditions between November and March.

For example, at Burnaby’s Westminster Bible Chapel at total of 27 mats are available.

In that municipality, the most recent homeless count in 2011 count found 73 individuals homeless.

The Burnaby Extreme Weather shelter opened 25 nights during last winter and provided shelter stays 130 times.

In Richmond, the extreme weather shelters are at Richmond House on Shell Road and St. Alban’s Anglican Church with a 16-space capacity each.

As of last count two years ago, there were 49 homeless people in Richmond.

Four different locations with a total capacity of 80 beds are operating in Surrey, including Cloverdale Christian Fellowship, Hyland House Newtown, KEYS Housing and Heath Solutions and Surrey Urban Mission.

Extreme weather coordinator for Surrey and White Rock Peter Fedos told Global News they are averaging 57 people a night using their extreme weather shelters.

They are also in urgent need of socks, gloves and jackets as we are facing many more days of below-zero temperatures and are asking for donations to be dropped off at their shelter locations.

For the list of extreme weather response shelters in B.C., go here.

Follow @BC_Housing for Extreme Weather Alerts.