The City of Vancouver announced today (January 1) that it is extending the already once-extended open dates of its emergency warming centres further into the new year, until January 6, 2022, for those sleeping outside. Some new facilities have been introduced to increase capacity. Those wanting to come indoors to warm up are welcome as well. Many of the centres will allow pets, bikes, and carts.

Below is the unedited city news release reprinted exactly as received, minus some information on snow and ice removal operations.

Any further updates will be posted on this website as received.

In response to forecasted cold, snow and heavy rain over the weekend and into early next week, the City of Vancouver is extending Warming Centre operations to provide additional capacity for people to come indoors between January 1 to January 6, 2022.

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                                               

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 161 Warming Centre spaces have been created to bring people inside:

• Britannia Community Centre (Gym D) (1661 Napier St.): Open 8 pm to 6:30 am through January 6
• West End Community Centre (870 Denman St.): Open 11 pm to 6 am through January 3
• Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main St.): Open 11 pm to 6 am, January 2 through January 3
• First Avenue Shelter (1648 E 1^st Ave.): Open daily 10 pm to 9 am through January 5
• First United (320 E Hastings St.): Open through January 1, 10 pm to 7 am (men only)
• Longhouse Council of Native Ministry (2595 Franklin St.): Open 10 pm to 6 am through January 5
• Odd Fellows Hall (1443 W 8^th Ave.): Open daily 9:30 pm to 8 am through January 3 (Bikes, but no pets or carts)
• Powell Street Getaway (528 Powell St.): Open daily 9 pm to 7 am through January 1, closed January 2 and 3, and open January 4 through to January 6 

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, 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 114 spaces have been created at the following locations to bring people inside, through January 3:

• 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 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 8:45 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.aspx

Vancouver Public Library

• Central Library Branch Atrium and Washroom (350 W Georgia St.): Jan. 1 (8 am – 8 pm), Jan. 2 (8 am – 6:30 pm), Jan. 3 (6 am – 9 pm), Jan. 4 to Jan. 6 (6 am – 9 pm)
• Library Branches: https://www.vpl.ca/hours-locations

Please check City of Vancouver social media accounts for warming centre spaces open beyond January 6, 2022. The City is monitoring the evolving weather forecast closely and will be taking additional measures as needed.