Two daytime warming centres are expected to open in Victoria later this week if temperatures dip to zero or below as forecast. The centres are at James Bay United Church on Michigan Street and Sanctuary Youth Centre on Humboldt Street.
An extreme weather alert was issued for the capital region Monday, triggering the opening of 30 sleeping mats at the Salvation Army Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre on Johnson Street. The alert was cancelled Tuesday morning, but is likely to be reactivated later this week, as the forecast calls for snow Friday night through Monday.
The Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness will monitor the forecast to determine whether conditions meet the extreme-weather threshold — temperatures at or near zero, rainfall that makes it difficult for people to remain dry, and during sleet, freezing rain, accumulating snow or sustained high winds.
In addition to the Salvation Army’s 30 beds, about 45 spaces would be opened in the city-run warming centres that could stay open overnight in the event of extreme weather, said Nina Grossman, communications co-ordinator for the coalition. The warming centres in James Bay United Church and Sanctuary Youth Centre don’t have sleeping mats, but people could sleep there if they wanted to.
A B.C. Transit bus could also be used to pick people up from downtown and take them to shelters, Grossman said.
At Our Place, propane heaters in the courtyard and a festival-style tent have been set up to provide some escape from the cold, in addition to Our Place’s indoor drop-in space, said communications director Grant McKenzie.
Street outreach teams are moving around the city to let people know about the drop-in and heated courtyard, and clothing donations have been sorted and are ready to go out as needed, he said.
Peers Victoria Resources Society is collecting coats, gloves and hats and giving away gift bags of blankets, sleepwear, toiletries and food. An Indigenous outreach team at Peers is giving out camping gear.
