City of Vancouver makes extra shelter spaces available as weekend temperatures dip

With the Lower Mainland in store for yet another chilly November weekend, the City of Vancouver is again making extra shelter spaces available for those in need of warmth. 

The City of Vancouver cited an extreme weather alert extended from Friday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 15, due to temperatures that could feel as cold as 0°C or colder. 

Environment Canada is currently calling for temperatures to dip to a low of 3°C overnight on Friday. 

The weather agency has also issued several winter storm and snowfall warnings for highways in B.C. this weekend, including the Coquihalla.

But with temperatures within city limits expected to drop, the City of Vancouver is again opening up extra shelter spaces for its most vulnerable residents throughout the weekend, from Friday to Sunday nights. The spaces will be available at the Evelyne Saller Centre, located at 320 Alexander St. in the Downtown Eastside, as well as Directions Youth Services Centre, at 1138 Burrard St., and Tenth Church at 11 10th Ave. W (at Ontario St.)

Evelyne Saller Centre (604-665-3075) will operate between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., with 32 mats available for those seeking shelter. Food will be offered before bed and in the morning, while neither pets nor carts are permitted inside. Final intake will take place at 1 a.m. 

Directions Youth Services Centre (604-633-2472 ext. 1) will have seven mats available for youth aged 24 years and under. Those spaces are open from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Monday morning, though mats will be provided after midnight. Pets are accepted, to a maximum for four animals. 

Ten mats are available at Tenth Church (604-876-2181) between 9 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., as are light refreshments and showers. Small carts may be stored on site, while pets (subject to some restrictions) are welcome. 

The City will is also operating a warming centre at the Powell Street Getaway, located at 528 Powell St. The drop-in site will be open between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., offering hot beverages and snacks. The warming centre can accommodate pets, bikes and carts. 

According to the City, physical distancing will be encouraged at all four locations. 

The city is encouraging individuals who are sleeping outside to  "please come to the safety of the shelters."