The B.C. government will fund approximately 560 extreme weather shelter spaces across Metro Vancouver this winter to help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with access to a safe, warm place to stay at night.

The temporary shelter spaces will be available from now until March 31, 2016 on an as needed basis throughout Metro Vancouver, including Surrey and New Westminster.

The spaces are activated when communities issue an extreme weather alert for their area. Communities decide what weather conditions warrant an alert and how many spaces to activate on a given night, depending on the capacity of existing shelters and the estimated need.

These spaces supplement the more than 1,000 permanent, year-round shelter beds in Metro Vancouver. Most permanent shelters are open 24/7 and provide three meals per day.

Throughout the province, the B.C. government is providing $1.6 million this winter to make close to 1,200 extreme weather shelter spaces available in approximately 100 communities.

Quote:

Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Minister Responsible for Housing –

“The winter can be a difficult time for many people. Providing these extra shelter spaces is critical to addressing many of the challenges they face. We will continue to work closely with the communities of Metro Vancouver to connect those in need with the support services that will set them up for more stable, permanent housing.”

Quick facts:

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.4 billion to provide affordable housing for low income individuals, seniors and families.
• This year, more than 102,500 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services.
• Last winter, approximately $1.5 million in funding was invested by the Province to create more than 1,220 Extreme Weather Response spaces in over 100 communities.
• A list of all Extreme Weather Response shelter spaces is available at: http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Emergency_Housing/EXR
• A list of permanent shelter spaces is available at: http://www.bchousing.org/Options/Emergency_Housing/ESP

Learn more:

To receive notifications on when communities are issuing extreme weather alerts, please follow BC Housing on Twitter: @BC_Housing (twitter.com)

For more information on provincial affordable housing programs and efforts to end homelessness in B.C., please visit: http://www.housingmattersbc.ca/factsheets.html and: http://www.bchousing.org

A backgrounder follows.