As temperatures plunge throughout southwest B.C., the City of Vancouver is making extra shelter spaces available for those in need.
Environment Canada issued an extreme weather alert for the region on Thursday, as an influx of Arctic air means temperatures could feel like 0°C or colder. While the alert ended Friday, the unseasonably chilly overnight temperatures could still dip as low as -2°C throughout the weekend.
The City of Vancouver is opening the extra shelter spaces for Friday through Sunday nights at Evelyne Saller Centre, located at 320 Alexander St. in the Downtown Eastside, as well as Directions Youth Services Centre, at 1138 Burrard St.
Evelyne Saller Centre will operate between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., with 32 mats available for those seeking shelter. "A variety of food options will be offered" before bed and in the morning, while pets are not permitted.
Directions Youth Services Centre will have seven mats available for youth aged 24 years and under. Those spaces are open from 10 p.m. to 7 p.m. all three nights, though mats will be provided after midnight. Pets are accepted, to a maximum for four animals.
According to the City, physical distancing will be encouraged at both locations.
The city is encouraging individuals who are sleeping outside to "please come to the safety of the shelters."
