NEWS RELEASE. Extreme weather response shelters open throughout B.C.

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1 For Immediate Release 2016MNGD Nov. 17, 2016 NEWS RELEASE Extreme weather response shelters open throughout B.C. VICTORIA The British Columbia government will provide approximately $1.6 million this winter to fund close to 1,000 extreme weather shelter spaces to ensure those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have access to a safe and warm place to stay during nights of severe weather. The additional spaces will be available in nearly 75 communities from now until March 31, 2017, when a community issues an extreme weather alert. Communities decide what weather conditions warrant an alert and how many spaces to activate on a given night, depending on the capacity of existing shelters and the estimated need. These spaces supplement the almost 2,000 permanent, year-round shelter spaces available throughout the province. Most permanent shelter beds are available 24/7 and provide three meals a day. The Province also funds outreach teams that work at winter shelters and on the street to help connect people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with housing and support services such as income assistance and mental health services. Quotes: Ministry of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman, Minister of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing Each winter, we work with communities and non-profit groups to make sure that anyone who wants to come inside for the night has a warm, safe place to go. Funding for these shelter spaces is part of the more than $200 million annually we invest in the province to provide emergency shelter spaces, subsidized units and rent supplements for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Jim Coggles, executive director, The Salvation Army Vancouver Harbour Light Living without a roof over your head is challenging enough without having to sleep outside in the bitter cold, high winds and heavy rain. These much needed additional beds don't just provide comfort, they offer refuge, and they help to save lives. Added to the 206 beds we provide every night throughout the winter months, these 30 extreme weather shelter beds will be activated during episodes of severe weather in downtown Vancouver. Each guest will be welcomed by our staff, a hot meal and the opportunity to experience hope and assistance toward positive change. Wes Hewitt, administrator, Port Alberni Shelter Society

2 The Extreme Weather Response Program is a well used addition to the services that we provide the community in partnership with BC Housing. It helps in times of increased needs for those vulnerable people that have nowhere else to go and are at risk due to the weather. Quick Facts: Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $4.9 billion to provide affordable housing for low-income individuals, seniors and families. This year, more than 104,000 B.C. households will benefit from provincial social housing programs and services. Last year, the Province provided approximately $204 million to support more than 14,000 emergency shelter spaces, subsidized units and rent supplements for those who were homeless throughout British Columbia. Learn More: For more information on affordable housing programs and the province s efforts to end homelessness in B.C., please visit: and To see a map of permanent and temporary shelters in B.C., please visit: Follow BC Housing on A backgrounder follows. Media Contact: Ally Skinner-Reynolds BC Housing Connect with the Province of B.C. at:

3 For Immediate Release 2016MNGD Nov. 17, 2016 BACKGROUNDER Locations offering temporary shelter during Extreme Weather Alerts The Extreme Weather Response program enables communities to temporarily increase emergency shelter capacity during extreme weather conditions. Communities determine when to issue an extreme weather alert and how many spaces to make available on a given night. The following locations will offer temporary shelter space when an extreme weather alert is activated. More EWR shelters may be added throughout the season. Updates to this list can be found here: Mile House 99 Mile Motel, 555B South Cedar Ave. 10 spaces Abbotsford Cyrus Centre, 2616 Ware St. 10 spaces, for youth only Centre of Hope, Gladys Ave. 20 spaces Burnaby Burnaby Extreme Weather Shelter, th St. 27 spaces Burnaby Extreme Weather Shelter (overflow site), 8611 Armstrong Rd. 20 spaces Chilliwack Ruth and Naomi's Centre, Margaret Ave. 16 spaces Brigadier Arthur Cartmell House, Yale Rd. five spaces Cyrus Centre Chilliwack, Wellington Ave. 12 spaces Courtenay Pidcock, 632 Pidcock Ave. 15 spaces Cranbrook Salvation Army Cranbrook, 533 Slater Rd. 24 spaces Duncan Warmland House, 2579 Lewis St. 15 spaces Fort St John Fort St John Care & Share Centre, Ave. 28 spaces Ministry of Natural Gas Development and Responsible for Housing

4 Grand Forks BETHS, 7212 Riverside Dr. seven spaces Hope Thunderbird Extreme Weather Shelter, Flood Hope Rd. five spaces Kitimat Kitimat, 480 City Centre four spaces Ladysmith Ladysmith Homeless Aid, 631 1st Ave. 10 spaces Langley Gateway of Hope, 5787 Langley Bypass 10 spaces Maple Ridge The Salvation Army Caring Place, Lougheed Hwy. 15 spaces Merritt Nicola Valley Extreme Weather Response Shelter, 2038 Nicola Ave. 10 spaces Mission Haven in the Hollow, Logan Ave. 15 spaces Nanaimo Unitarian Extreme Weather Shelter, 595 Townsite Rd. 24 spaces New Westminster New West Extreme Weather Shelter, 606 Clarkson St. 30 spaces North Vancouver North Shore Extreme Weather Shelter, 705 West 2nd St. 20 spaces North Shore Extreme Weather Shelter (overflow site), 225 East 2nd St. 25 spaces Parksville Oceanside Taskforce on Homelessness, 233 Mills St. eight spaces Penticton Compass House, 123 Nanaimo Avenue East eight spaces Black Forest, 707 Westminster Avenue West four spaces Port Alberni

5 Port Alberni Shelter, th Ave. 15 spaces Port Hardy Lighthouse Resource Centre - Out of the Cold, 8635 Granville St. 12 spaces Prince George ASAP Bridget Moran, 590 Dominion St. 10 spaces AWAC Women's Shelter, 144 George St. 10 spaces, for women only Ketso Yoh, 140 Quebec St. 10 spaces, for men only Quesnel Seasons House, 146 Carson Ave. 10 spaces Richmond Richmond House, 3111 Shell Rd. three spaces (plus three overflow spaces), men only Richmond Extreme Weather Shelter, 7260 St. Alban's Rd. 20 spaces Saanich Victoria Native Friendship Centre, 231 Regina Ave. 25 spaces Salmon Arm Lighthouse Inn from the Cold, 441 3rd St. SW 12 spaces Smithers Broadway Place, 3827 Broadway Ave. two spaces Squamish Extreme Weather Emergency Shelter at the Fire House, Third Av. 15 spaces Surrey Cloverdale Surrey, St. 15 spaces Surrey Urban Mission, King George Blvd. 20 spaces Terrace Ksan Lakelse Ave, 4444 Lakelse Ave. 20 spaces Ksan Residence & Shelter, 2812 Hall St. three spaces Trail La Nina EWR Shelter of Greater Trail, 1458 Bay Ave. six spaces Tri-Cities 3030 Gordon Ave., Coquitlam 30 spaces

6 Vancouver Directions Youth Resource Centre, 1138 Burrard St. 15 spaces, youth only Men's Hostel, 828 Cambie St. 24 spaces, men only First Baptist Church, 969 Burrard St. 25 spaces Gathering Place, 609 Helmcken St. 40 spaces Belkin House, 555 Homer St. 20 spaces St. Mark's Extreme Weather Shelter, 1805 Larch St. 25 spaces Tenth Ave Church, 11 West 10th Ave. 25 spaces Harbour Light (overflow site), 119 E Cordova St. 40 spaces Evelyne Saller Centre (overflow site), 320 Alexander St. 40 spaces Victoria Our Place Society, 919 Pandora Ave. 30 spaces ( plus 20 overflow spaces) Addictions & Rehabilitation Centre, 612 David St. 30 spaces White Rock First United White Rock, Semiahmoo Ave. 15 spaces Media Contact: Ally Skinner-Reynolds BC Housing Connect with the Province of B.C. at: