Surrey’s homeless left with few options during heatwave, says city councillor

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – With record-breaking temperatures expected again Monday, there are growing concerns the heatwave will prove deadly for the most vulnerable. Surrey City Councillor Linda Annis is calling on the city to immediately open cooling centres for the homeless during the heatwave.

The city has several air-conditioned community centres open, but capacity is limited in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“We know at the last homeless count we have almost 700 people who are homeless in the city of Surrey and we know this number is likely double that,” Annis said.

She says the city ran into similar challenges during the last snow storm, with pandemic protocols preventing shelters from opening to full capacity.

“COVID is certainly a concern for the city but by and large, people that are homeless are out on the street. Can you imagine being out there with no water, no cover, no shelter? It’s just not right,” she said.

Annis says she brought this to the city’s attention Friday, but so far no emergency shelters have been opened as a result.

Annis’ call to open dedicated cooling centres in Surrey comes just days after Fraser Health was forced to move several vaccine clinics to recreation centres with air conditioning, including Cloverdale’s Recreation Centre and South Surrey’s Recreation Centre.

There have been no reports of any heat-related deaths Monday but experts caution that could change if people do not take action to cool down. Symptoms of heat-related illness and heat exhaustion include: extreme thirst, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.

The City of Surrey’s website has tips and tricks for residents and includes a full list of community centres, as well as several outdoor community pools for residents to take a dip. However, with high demand, most of the swim reservations are already booked up.

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The City of Vancouver is facing similar issues with finding ways to ensure everyone stays safe. It extended the hours for two of its cooling centres in response to the heatwave.

Carnegie Centre will be open until 11 p.m. Gathering Place closes after midnight.

Vancouver has also set up more than 200 water fountains to help people to beat the heat, but has not opened any emergency shelters.

If you're out & about, stay hydrated as extreme temperatures are predicted to continue until Tuesday ☀️

???? There are over 200 water fountains in #Vancouver including new temporary ones to help #BeatTheHeat. Check out our map to find where they are: https://t.co/IvHX0eyueU pic.twitter.com/4qX9XEKbNc

— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) June 28, 2021

The Metro Vancouver heat warning remains in effect until Tuesday with peak humidex values expected to reach the upper 40’s, according to Environment Canada.

With files from Dean Recksiedler