With snow in the forecast for this weekend, an extreme weather alert has been activated in Victoria for the first time this fall.
Temperatures around or below zero degrees are expected, along with snowfall that may accumulate.
Thirty spaces are available overnight at the Salvation Army at 525 Johnson St. as part of the extreme weather protocol, which is intended to open additional shelter beds when weather conditions present a “substantial threat to the life or health of homeless persons.”
Those conditions include temperatures at or near zero, rainfall that makes it difficult for people to remain dry, sleet, freezing rain, accumulating snow or sustained high winds.
The number of spaces available is currently limited due to staffing shortages at shelters. Organizations are struggling to hire enough people on an on-call, casual basis to staff any additional spaces.
The Salvation Army is able to open Friday night and Saturday night, but if extreme weather persists beyond the weekend, it may not be able to keep the 30 beds open, said Nina Grossman, communications co-ordinator for the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness.
Provincial funding has also allowed the City of Victoria to organize daytime warming centres to open during extreme weather. The city hopes to be able to open the spaces once staff are hired, in the next seven to 10 days.
Job postings for shelter positions can be found here.
regan-elliott@timescolonist.com
