Emergency Shelter Program

The Emergency Shelter Program provides funding to homeless shelters and drop-in centres that help reconnect people who are homeless to housing and support services in addition to offering temporary shelter, food and other services. Management of the program was transferred to BC Housing from the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance (MEIA) in October 2005.

Expansion of the Emergency Shelter Program 
On October 12, 2007, the Province of B.C. increased the funding for emergency shelters by $25 million so they can more effectively work with their clients to break the cycle of homelessness . As a result, most emergency shelters will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This will allow their staff to connect their clients with the support services and housing required to increase stability in their lives. Check out the news release .

This announcement builds on the 2007 Budget increase that converted about 300 seasonal, cold/wet weather beds to year-round beds, raising the number of year-round beds to approximately 1,500 across B.C.

Also on October 12th, the Province of B.C. announced one-time capital funding and additional ongoing operating funding for Emergency Shelter Program providers totalling $2.4 million that will be distributed to 39 shelters in 19 communities. The capital funding enables emergency shelter operators to complete necessary building repairs.  The ongoing operating funding allows emergency shelter operators to have additional staff available to ensure client and staff safety.  Click here for more information on the break down of the capital and on-going operating funding .

What is the Emergency Shelter Program?
The Emergency Shelter Program provides funding to homeless shelters and drop-in centres that help reconnect people who are homeless to housing and support services in addition to offering temporary shelter, food and other services. There are approximately 60 homeless shelters and drop-in agencies funded by the government throughout British Columbia.

Homeless shelters and drop-in centres are managed by community-based agencies on behalf of BC Housing. They often serve individuals who have health, addiction and other barriers that may have contributed to their homeless state and make it difficult to secure stable housing. Eligiblity for shelter varies from facility to facility. For example, some shelters provide aid to only men, some shelters provide aid to only women and other shelters provide aid to men, women and families. For detailed eligibility information for specific shelters please see ‘Where can I find an emergency shelter’ below.

Community groups run homeless shelters that provide short-term beds and meals for people who are homeless. If you need homeless shelter, click the appropriate link for a  list of shelters on the BC Housing website and  Greater Vancouver Shelter Strategy  website.

For homeless shelter information after 4:30 p.m., call the After Hours information line at 604-660-3194 or toll free at 1-866-660-3194.