With heavy rainfall expected over the weekend, Vancouver is opening its extra shelter spaces for the city’s homeless population.
Denis Quesnel, 34, was living under a tarp at Cambie and Broadway Wednesday morning. He was expected to be counted in the city’s annual homeless count, which began Tuesday. Photo Dan Toulgoet
The extra beds are made available when an extreme weather alert is issued by the Homelessness Services Association of B.C. Alerts can be issued when temperatures fall near zero, during heavy rainfall or high winds.
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Earlier this month, the city opened its temporary winter shelters. An additional 329 spaces are made available during the winter months. The temporary shelters are in addition to the more than 900 shelter beds across the city.
The additional spaces are at:
- Directions Youth Services Centre (1138 Burrard St.) – 15 spaces for youth (24 years of age and under)
- Evelyne Saller Centre (320 Alexander St.) – 40 spaces
- The Salvation Army Belkin House (555 Homer St.) – 15 spaces for men and five for women
- Walton Hotel Amenity Space (261-B East Hastings St.) – 20 spaces
Anyone looking for shelter space can call 211 to check availability.
