Extreme Weather Response Shelter
| 1755 Coldwater Ave, Merritt
JANUARY 3, 2024 | BC Housing | ASK Wellness Society | Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society
BC Housing, in association with the ASK Wellness Society and the Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society, released a letter to neighbours about a new Extreme Weather Response Shelter located at 1755 Coldwater Ave, Merritt, British Columbia.
According to the 2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Count, 67 people are experiencing homelessness in Merritt, compared to 43 in 2020. Winter weather can create a life-or-death situation for people experiencing homelessness. This is why it is vital to have sufficient shelter spaces for people to come inside, get warm and access basic services.
WHAT IS AN EXTREME WEATHER RESPONSE SHELTER?
An Extreme Weather Response (EWR) shelter opens when an EWR alert is issued for Merritt under the following conditions (subject to change on direction from the Medical Health Officer):
- Temperatures (sustained or wind chill) of ≤ -7 Celsius or lower; and/or
- Snow storm accumulating more than 5cm combined with ≤ -3 Celsius; and/or
- Rain/freezing rain with combined with ≤ -3 Celsius
SHELTER OPERATIONS
ASK Wellness Society (ASK) and the Nicola Valley Shelter and Support Society (NVSSS) will partner together to operate the shelter and provide guests with:
- Individual sleeping mats
- A warm meal
- Transportation to and from the shelter
- Multiple staff on-site
OPERATING HOURS:
Mondays: 9pm – 9am | Tuesdays – Sundays: 6pm – 9am
January 10 – March 31, 2024
WHO TO CALL
ASK Wellness was founded in 1992 and has been providing individuals residing in the City of Merritt with access to housing and health services for years. Learn more by visiting: askwellness.ca. Or call 250.315.0098 or email.
NVSSS has been offering services to individuals and families in the Nicola Valley who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless since 2012. Learn more by visiting: www.nvshelterandsupport.com
For questions about this shelter or the EWR shelter program, please contact BC Housing at communityrelations@bchousing.org. For media questions, contact media@bchousing.org.
For additional contacts, please refer to the Who To Call | When To Call resource sheet.
