Vancouver has experiencing a brutal cold snap since last Saturday (February 17) and temperatures are expected to remain well below freezing tonight (February 20).

It’s left the city’s homeless population in a dangerous spot.

Last night (February 19), the Union Gospel Mission (UGM), one of Vancouver’s leading shelter operators, said that it had to turn 25 people away on account of a lack of capacity.

"Twenty-five turnaways in one night is an extreme number,” UGM's Jeremy Hunka told CBC News. “The need is extreme right now."

UGM has dispatched a “mobile mission rescue vehicle” that’s driving around Vancouver offering survival gear and directing people to shelters.

https://twitter.com/ugm/status/965813355167539200

The City of Vancouver has opened extra warming centres since the temperatures dropped last weekend. Those are:

• Britannia Community Centre (1739 Venables Street, hours: 9 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.)
• Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main Street, hours: 11:15 p.m. to 7 a.m.)
• West End Community Centre (870 Denman Street, hours: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

“Those looking for shelter space can call 2-1-1 to check availability,” reads a February 18 media release. “Community centres and other public buildings are also available during their open hours as spaces to warm up.”