Winter Problems Facing Shelters

While we sit at home all cozy and warm we are forgetting about Vancouver’s Homeless who are facing extreme difficulty with the resurgence of Covid-19 as well as the cold arctic air that is hammering the area.

Very few take pity on the homeless and this isn’t something that many have wanted or ever expected to happen to anyone, let alone themselves.

Given the recent announcement of the new restrictions implemented by the Provincial Government we are hearing from Environment Canada that the upcoming two weeks is nothing but extreme.

The BC Housing funds and operates The Extreme Weather Response Program running from November 1st to March31st each year and locally in Delta there are two Shelters.

One is located in Ladner, while the other is in North Delta but hearing that there are none in Tsawwassen and reportedly the City of Delta strongly supports this program and works with the local Extreme Weather Response Working Group.

Fearing that shelters in the Lower Mainland simply won’t be able to comprehend the request for the homeless with temperatures expected to plunge and potentially deadly cold waves expected to dip to -10 to -12. 

The incoming front is expected to hit the area Thursday and last for the next two weeks with lows approaching to -30 which will be deadly.

The City of Vancouver website states “We’re committed to ensuring all residents have a safe place to come inside, particularly during the cold winter months and other extreme weather.

There are various types of shelters in Vancouver – from permanent, purpose-built shelters, to temporary shelters, to spaces opened only during extreme weather.

We activate warming centres when the temperature drops below a certain point.”

The Emergency Shelter Program

The Emergency Shelter Program provides funding to shelters and drop-in centres to help connect people who are homeless to housing and support services in addition to offering temporary shelter, food and other services. For more information, please visit BC Housing.

The Extreme Weather Response Program

The Extreme Weather Response Program provides people who are homeless with warm, dry, shelter in the event of severe weather.

Issuing an extreme weather alert is done by individual communities according to local conditions. For more information, please visit BC Housing.

If you are able to assist with any supplies like blankets, personal hygiene items as well as any clothing items to help out in the recent severe weather situation please contact 

The Provincial link for helping out on the BC Website.