Please see below for an update from the City of Richmond, and community service providers, regarding services available to individuals who may be sheltering outdoors in Richmond over the coming winter.
Temporary Winter Shelters
There are two Temporary Winter Shelters in Richmond to support individuals experiencing homelessness this winter. These shelters are both operated by The Progressive Housing Society and provide a safe, warm space for rest, snacks, and referrals to additional services. These will operate from mid-November 2024 to mid-April 2025.
- Temporary Winter Shelter at South Arm Outdoor Pool Building:
- Hours: 7:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
- Capacity: 20 individuals
- Location: 10100 South Arm Place, near Williams Road and Garden City Road
- Pet Friendly
- Contact: 604-374-9876 for availability or referral
- Program opens November 10, 2024
- Temporary Winter Shelter at Brighouse Pavilion:
- Hours: 8:00 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.
- Capacity: 15 individuals
- Location: Brighouse Pavilion, 7840 Granville Avenue, between No. 3 Rd and Minoru Blvd
- Contact: 604-374-1474 for availability or referral
- Program anticipated to open mid-November, additional detail will be provided once this is confirmed
Extreme Weather Response Sites
This year there are no specific locations providing additional overnight accommodations during severe weather conditions. Every effort will be made to ensure no one is turned away from the Temporary Winter Shelters at Brighouse Pavilion, the South Arm Outdoor Pool Building or Richmond House but there may be times when these programs are at capacity and referrals will be made to Shelters or Extreme Weather Response Shelters in other communities.
Extreme weather is defined as:
- Conditions deemed severe enough to present a substantial threat to the life or health of persons who are experiencing homelessness; or
- Any snow accumulation; or
- Temperatures at or below 0° C; or
- Temperatures near 0° C with rainfall that makes it difficult or impossible for persons who are experiencing homelessness to remain dry.
Extreme Weather Alerts will be issued in communities who have additional shelter spaces that open only on nights of very poor weather and will be specific to the weather conditions identified in that community. Every effort will be made to ensure that individuals who have been sheltering outdoors are provided with options to seek shelter indoors.
For information on EWR Shelters across Metro Vancouver, please visit BC211’s website at www.BC.211.ca/shelter-lists
In addition, the following programs continue to operate as usual:
Richmond House Emergency Shelter
- 604-276-2490
- 12040 Horseshoe Way
- www.RichmondHouseSA.ca
Richmond House Emergency Shelter provides 55 shelter beds. 35 beds for male presenting people and 20 beds for female presenting people. These are physically accessible and inclusive. People can call to inquire about spaces and put their name on the waitlist. The waitlist resets every Saturday and individuals need to reconnect each week to keep their name on the list.
Drop-in Centre & Shower Program
- 604-644-1418
- 7840 Granville Avenue, Brighouse Pavilion – On Granville Avenue between No. 3 Road and Minoru Boulevard
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Drop-in Centre offers free laundry, showers, supports and referrals for individuals experiencing homelessness. Lunch is served 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Outreach workers are available at the Drop-in Centre during opening hours. Rotating service providers available on Tuesdays to assist with various needs or services including income assistance, housing advocacy, referrals to health services.
No or Low Cost Community Meals
This link provides a list of community meals and food bank distribution dates and times listed by day with location and schedule.
Should you require additional information about any of this information please contact:
- City of Richmond Homelessness Team email – homelessness@richmond.ca
- City of Richmond Homelessness Outreach Team voicemail – 604-276-4243
- Anna Hofmarks, Program Manager, Homelessness – 604-247-4662
- Chris Duggan, Manager, Community Social Development – 604-204-8621