Indoor Shelter Spaces Opening For Winter

As winter weather approaches, people experiencing homelessness in British Columbia will have access to warm, safe indoor spaces.

The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,085 shelter spaces in 59 communities throughout B.C. this season, a 22% increase in spaces available compared to this time last year.

That includes permanent, temporary and extreme-weather response shelters, as well as HEARTH shelter spaces.

Permanent shelters are typically open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, regardless of the weather, and provide services and meals to guests.

There are 4,086 permanent shelter spaces operating throughout B.C.

Temporary shelters are open every night and many operate 24 hours a day and provide meals.

Winter temporary shelters are seasonal and will operate until the end of March or April, depending on location.

There will be 1,169 temporary shelter spaces open throughout B.C., the majority of which opened on November 1st.

Extreme-weather response shelters, 668 of them, open overnight when a community issues an extreme-weather alert, such as during cold temperatures, snow or heavy rain.

The Province is working with municipalities to open new homeless-encampment temporary housing as well.

Additionally, the Province provides guidance and reimbursements to local authorities and First Nations for opening emergency warming centres during extreme weather.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.