Whereas the BC Centre for Disease Control BCCDC reports people at risk of hypothermia include: - People experiencing homelessness persons who are unsheltered, unhoused, or living in places not fit for human habitation - People who use substances, including alcohol, that modify their ability to feel the effects of cold exposure or to respond or modify their responses to cold conditions - People who spend long hours outside for work or recreation - People with disabilities, limited mobility, certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and diseases affecting blood vessels and people taking certain medications - Older people over 60 years of age, infants and young children; And whereas the BCCDC has established guidelines to open cold weather shelters when temperatures drop below 0 C or enacted at higher degrees when the weather forecast includes wet, snowy, or windy conditions as recommended by the BC Health Effects Anomalous Temperatures HEAT Committees cold-weather response: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to standardize the opening of cold weather shelters throughout the province based on the recommendations from the BC Health Effects Anomalous Temperatures HEAT Committees cold-weather response and provide necessary funding to local governments and NGOs.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The Province recognizes there is a growing and pressing need for shelter spaces throughout BC, especially during the winter months. In addition to permanent shelters in BC communities, the Province also provides temporary winter shelters and the Extreme Weather Response EWR program. Municipalities determine what weather conditions warrant an extreme weather alert and the number of extreme weather spaces to activate. The Province, through BC Housing, is funding 6,737 shelter spaces permanent, temporary, emergency weather response, Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing HEARTH throughout BC. This is a 20 percent increase compared to the same time last year. The Province continues to add more temporary shelter and housing spaces through the HEARTH program. Additionally, the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness provides guidance and funds for local authorities and First Nations to proactively open warming centers to keep people safe. Communities may be reimbursed by the Province for costs to establish warming centres, including facility rental and fuel costs.