Extra shelter spaces open in Vancouver due to cold weather

The Vancouver skyline is pictured ahead of an expected cold weather spell on Jan. 17, 2025. (CTV News)

A dip in temperature prompted the City of Vancouver to open extra overnight shelter spaces this weekend.

The city says an extreme weather alert is in effect from Saturday to Monday due to temperatures that feel at or below 0 C.

“If you are sleeping outside, please come to the safety of the shelters,” a notice reads.

The city opens up roughly 150 additional beds called extreme weather response shelters when the forecast shows at least 50 millimetres of rain in a 24-hour period, sustained high winds, sleet, freezing rain or snow, temperatures at or below 0 C, or temperatures near 0 C with rain that makes it “difficult or impossible” for people experiencing homelessness to stay dry.

Daytime warming centres open when the mercury reaches -4 C or it feels like -4 C with wind chill, but temperatures aren’t expected to dip that low in Vancouver this week.

The following sites have extra beds open this weekend due to the cold:

• Directions Youth Services Centre – 1138 Burrard St. – 10 spaces for youth ages 13 to 24
• The Salvation Army Belkin House – 555 Homer St. – 25 spaces for adults
• Aboriginal Front Door – 390 Main St. – 34 spaces for adults
• OPS Overnight EWR Shelter – 141 East Hastings St. – 20 spaces for adults
• Imouto House EWR Shelter – 120 Jackson Ave. – four spaces for women ages 16 to 24
• Kiwassa Neighbourhood House EWR Shelter – 2425 Oxford St. – 20 spaces for adults
• Marpole Neighbourhood House EWR Shelter - 8585 Hudson St. – 30 spaces for adults