The City of Wrenford is expanding its winter shelter response program, adding 40 beds through three new community partner sites and opening four new warming centres across the city as December temperatures fall. These changes ensure more people experiencing homelessness have access to safe, warm indoor spaces during the coldest nights.
Safe Nights Wrenford, the City’s year-round shelter, continues to operate 24 hours a day at its existing location. The new expansion brings 40 additional beds to the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) program. EWR sites are provincially funded and delivered through partnerships with community service providers and faith groups. These spaces open automatically when weather conditions make sleeping outside dangerous. The City activates EWR sites when temperatures drop to 0°C or below, or when wind chill makes it feel like 0°C. Sites also open during heavy rain, sleet, freezing rain, or sustained high winds.
Warming centres are also opening for the season. These four new centres provide a safe place for anyone to warm up when the temperature reaches -4°C or below (or feels like -5°C or below). Visitors can bring pets, bikes, and rolling carts. Hot drinks and snacks are available at all locations.
Alerts about EWR and warming centre activations will appear on the City homepage and social media channels. Outreach teams and partner agencies will also receive notifications so they can direct people to open sites.
Residents can help by keeping an eye on winter weather forecasts and checking on neighbours who may be struggling with the cold. If you see someone sleeping outside in freezing conditions, you can share the City’s shelter information or call 311 to request an outreach check.
“Keeping our community safe during extreme cold is a shared responsibility,” said Robert Eng, City Manager. “We are proud to work alongside our community partners to ensure no one has to face the winter alone.”
For full details on shelter locations, hours, and how to access services, visit Find emergency shelter.