B.C. opening record number of shelter spaces this winter including 151 in PG

Prince George is opening 151 shelter spaces just in time for the winter season.

The province, through B.C. Housing, is funding just shy of 6,500 shelter spaces in 58 communities, a record number when compared to previous years.

These include permanent, temporary and extreme-weather response (EWR) shelters, as well as Homeless Encampment Action Response Temporary Housing (HEARTH) shelter spaces.

Here is a breakdown of what facilities will open in PG during the winter-spring seasons:

* Permanent year-round shelters
* Bridget Moran Place, 1188 6th Avenue, 45 spaces

* AWAC Women’s Shelter, 144 George Street, 30 spaces

* Ketso Yoh Centre Men’s Hostel, 140 Quebec Street, 36 spaces

* Prince George Native Friendship Centre (youth shelter), 171 George Street, 10 spaces

* Second Ave Shelter, 1151 2nd Avenue, 30 spaces

Permanent shelters are open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year regardless of the weather and provide services and meals to guests. 4,158 of these spaces are operating province-wide.

Temporary shelters are open every night and many operate 24 hours a day and provide meals.

Many are seasonal and operate from Nov. 1 until March 31st or April 30, 2026, based on community or operational needs. 1,154 temporary spaces are currently open.

Lastly, 771 Extreme-weather response shelters will be open overnight when a community issues an extreme-weather alert, such as during cold temperatures, snow or heavy rain.

Communities determine what weather conditions necessitate an extreme-weather alert in co-ordination with BC Housing. These are activated from Oct. 15th until April 15th (2026).

As of the end of June, the Province has more than 93,600 homes delivered or underway, including more than 9,400 supportive housing units and over 5,500 shelters spaces open or in development.