In response to the Environment Canada alert this morning (December 27) about an Arctic outflow event expected to bring extreme cold weather to Metro Vancouver until Wednesday (December 29), we are posting City of Vancouver warming centre information from a December 23 bulletin.

Note: this information is current until today/tonight. Further information from the city will be posted as received.

The partial bulletin, minus street snow-removal details but with original links for further information, commences immediately below, exactly as received.

In response to the extreme cold weather forecasted starting Dec. 24, the City of Vancouver is opening Warming Centres to provide additional capacity for people to come indoors between Dec. 24 to 27, 2021. Warming Centres are activated in addition to Extreme Weather Response Shelters as an additional life-saving response for people sleeping outside when the temperature reaches -5°C or below (or it feels like -5°C or below). They are in addition to other initiatives taken by the City and the Province to ensure people in Vancouver who are experiencing homelessness have a place to keep warm during the winter months.

Warming Centres

Warming centres are activated when the temperature reaches -5°C or below (or it feels like -5°C or below). The City encourages anyone who is sleeping outside to visit one of these centres, which are open to all, including people who have pets and carts. Centres will provide hot drinks and snacks. Up to 101 Warming Centre spaces have been created to bring people inside:

• Powell Street Getaway (528 Powell St.): Open daily 9 pm to 7 am 
• Odd Fellows Lodge (1443 W 8^th Ave.): Open daily 10 pm to 8 am
• Britannia Community Centre (Gym D) (1661 Napier St.): Open Dec. 24 8 pm to 8 am, Dec. 25 8 pm to 8 am, Dec. 26 8 pm to 6:30 am
• West End Community Centre (870 Denman St.):  Open Dec. 24-25 11 pm to 9 am, each day.

Measures are in place at all Warming Centre locations to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Face masks are required for everyone accessing Warming Centres and will be provided for free if needed. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is not required to access Warming Centres.

Health or social services provided to people in need, such as warming centres, are exempt from the Provincial Health Officer Gatherings and Events Order and are not subject to event or capacity limitations as announced on Dec. 21, 2021.

Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Shelters

EWR shelters are funded by BC Housing and are activated when an extreme weather alert is issued for Vancouver (https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/shelters.aspx), when there is sleet or freezing rain, snow accumulation, and/or temperatures at or below 0°C, or "feels like" 0°C with wind chill. Up to 109 spaces have been created at the following locations to bring people inside:

• Directions Youth Services Centre (1138 Burrard St.): Open 10 pm to 7 am
• Tenth Church (11 10th Ave W at Ontario St): Open 9:30 pm to 9 am
• Cascades Church (3833 Boundary Road,west side of Boundary): Open 9:30 pm to 9 am
• Evelyne Saller Centre (320 Alexander St.): Open 11 pm to 7:30 am (Final intake at 1:00 am)
• Langara YMCA (282 W 49th Ave., South side of 49th): Open 8 pm to 8 am
• Bud Osborn EWR (27 West Hastings St.): Open 7:30 pm to 7:30 am

PLEASE NOTE: Alerts for these EWR and Warming Centre spaces are circulated to partner agencies, community centre staff, outreach program staff and a variety of agencies serving individuals experiencing homelessness. Details are posted to our website and social media channels and also available here. Please check daily for any updates on locations and openings.

In addition to the extreme weather drop-in spaces above, there are also permanent and temporary shelters in operation. Those looking for shelter space can call 2-1-1 to check availability or find a full list of shelters online.

The City thanks the community organizations who make their facilities available as Warming Centres and EWR Shelters on these coldest nights of the year.

Additional Warm Spaces

As a reminder, community centres, public libraries and other public buildings are also available during their opening hours as spaces for people to come inside to warm up:

City of Vancouver Community Centres:

• The Gathering Place (609 Helmcken St.): Open 8:30 am to 8 pm
• Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main St.):  Open 9 am to 11 pm
• Evelyne Saller Centre (320 Alexander St.): Open Monday–Friday 9 am to 11 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 10 pm

Park Board Community Centres:

• https://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/community-and-cultural-centres.asp

Vancouver Public Library:

• Central Library Branch Atrium and Washroom (350 W Georgia St.): Open Dec. 24 7 am to 6:30 pm, Dec. 25–26 8 am to 8 pm daily
• Library Branches: https://www.vpl.ca/hours-locations

Please check The City of Vancouver social media accounts for warming centre spaces open beyond Dec. 27, 2021. The City is monitoring the evolving weather forecast closely and will be taking additional measures as needed.