Life-threatening cold leading many to seek warmth at homeless shelters

Posted December 27, 2021 2:13 pm.

These freezing cold temperatures in B.C. this week can be life-threatening for those experiencing homelessness.

Nicole Mucci with the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside says their overnight shelter has been at full capacity every night since Dec. 23.

An extreme cold warning is in place for coastal B.C., including Vancouver and Surrey, and many are concerned about what impact that will have on those who don’t have shelter.

“People are homeless are already exposed to the elements 24 hours a day 365 days a year and when you add in a stretch of really cold weather with snow, it’s just scary. Especially after having extreme heat throughout the summer and the atmospheric river in November,” Mucci said Monday.

The group’s mobile mission rescue vehicle has been out checking on people as a result of the -20 C temperatures, and will continue to do in the coming days as the cold is expected to stay until at least Wednesday.

“We know for our community members who are experiencing homeless or who are living in poverty, any kind of extreme weather like this cold and snow can really pose risk to their health and safety,” Mucci said.

The shelter is able to house 92 people each night and have had to direct people to other shelters due to over capacity issues on Boxing Day.

Shelter space is available for anyone in need as temperatures continue to drop.

Use @BC_Housing search tool to find local shelters. https://t.co/wKEY8Isqmx

— City of Surrey (@CityofSurrey) December 27, 2021

An extreme weather shelter has been set up in an elementary school in Langley due to the need for people to get out of the elements.

According to Leith White, a Langley pastor, the volunteers worked with the City of Langley and other local charities to give people a place to sleep and a hot meal.

Due to COVID-19, volunteers are taking health and safety precautions by wearing masks, and those attending are encouraged to be vaccinated.

A photo of a gymnasium in Langley which has been converted to a shelter for homeless people

A school in Langley has been converted to a makeshift extreme cold shelter to offer beds and food to vulnerable people during the dangerous cold. (Courtesy: Leith White)

“The response from the community has been absolutely brilliant. We have breakfasts that are taking care of, lunches that are taken care of, dinners, snacks throughout the course of the day, hot coffee, chocolate.”

He says while they have most of the things they need, more donations of water or juice are welcome.

“The limitations of the site, we are so grateful for it, but there’s no running water for drinking,” White said.

The space has 42 beds and has so far not had to turn people away.

“I think what we are anticipating right now if the weather turns colder I think that would be a real concern. I think we are going to be close to capacity,” White said.