---
title: "BC has 6,588 shelter spaces in 63 communities for the winter season"
description: "BC Housing announced that as of November 1, 2026, the province has 6,588 shelter spaces available across 63 communities, including 700 extreme weather response spaces that open when temperatures drop."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/bc-housing-shelter-spaces-winter-november-2026"
last_updated: "2026-11-11T19:21:16.960Z"
---

British Columbia has 6,588 shelter spaces available across 63 communities for the winter season, BC Housing reported on November 10. The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs published the figures, which are as of November 1, 2026.

The total breaks down into five types: 4,270 permanent shelter spaces, 793 temporary winter shelter spaces, 700 extreme weather response spaces, 534 HEARTH shelter spaces and 291 temporary year-round spaces. Temporary winter shelters run from October 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. Extreme weather response spaces open when conditions become dangerous for people outside.

## Where the spaces are

The ministry reported the following totals for major communities:

- Vancouver: 1,866 spaces
- Surrey: 527 spaces
- Victoria: 473 spaces
- Kamloops: 326 spaces
- Kelowna: 323 spaces
- Prince George: 151 spaces

## Finding a space

BC Housing operates an online shelter map at smap.bchousing.org that shows spaces available across the province, updated daily as the ministry reports new spaces opening. REMI Network reported on November 11 that the province updates the directory daily as additional spaces become active, particularly during winter when extreme weather response shelters open during severe weather alerts.

The ministry's release said the shelters provide overnight accommodation along with meals and access to support services aimed at helping people stabilize their housing situation and connect to longer-term support.

People in need can also contact their local municipality or dial 211, which connects callers to community services including shelter, across the province.

The shelter announcement comes during a period of heavy rain and storm activity across BC. The BC River Forecast Centre issued flood warnings for the South Coast, the Pemberton Valley and the Kingcome River on November 11, and the Village of Pemberton issued an evacuation alert for Airport Road addresses on Tuesday evening. Extreme weather response shelters are open when conditions make it dangerous for people to be outside.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/bc/provincial-2026/sitemap.md) for all pages.