When the winter extreme weather response is activated, extra measures are taken to keep people safe:

Extreme Weather Bus Routes

A third bus will be added to the overnight winter shelter shuttle service on the North route to ensure additional capacity is available for transporting people to available shelters.

City Facilities

Open City facilities such as libraries and recreation centres will be available during regular operations for anyone to take respite from the cold. Note: Edmonton Transit centres and LRT stations are not safe/appropriate for sheltering.

Expanded Overnight Shelter

Al Rashid Mosque (13070 113 Street NW) will open an overnight shelter from 5pm – 8am during extreme weather responses, providing up to 50 spaces to supplement the existing shelter capacity funded by the Government of Alberta.

In extreme weather, Edmontonians are encouraged to check in on older family, friends and neighbours. If you are concerned about someone outside, you can help by calling:

• 211 and press 3 for the 24/7 Crisis Diversion team. They can assist individuals who may be in distress and can provide transportation to social service agencies.
• 911 in cases of emergency

Staying safe in the cold

Homeward Trust actively participates in the Sector Emergency Response, a collaboration between the City of Edmonton, Homeward Trust and more than 25 system and partner agencies working together to keep vulnerable citizens safe. 

Based on weather conditions, partners determine when it’s appropriate to issue an alert and activate the extreme weather response.

Edmonton Navigation & Support Centre     

Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.

At the Navigation Centre individuals can:

• Talk to someone about housing and ongoing support for food, clothing, shelter and support for pets
• Connect with financial supports
• Get help with an addiction
• Access Indigenous supports
• Lock up your things
• Get ID

*Overnight spaces are temporarily unavailable until the building is re-zoned to allow overnight accommodation. Staff will help people facilitate other arrangements. 

Need help:

Call: 1-587-340-0485   Visit: Navigation and Support Centres | Alberta.ca

Shelters 

During the severe cold of winter it is essential to find a safe place to protect against serious risks such as frostbite and hypothermia. Below are temporary safe spaces in Edmonton where people can shelter from the elements or sleep.

Shigella Awareness

Shigella is a bacterial infection that affects the digestive system and is commonly associated with diarrhea, fever, nausea and stomach cramps. It can cause severe illness and hospitalization and spreads when someone comes into contact with fecal matter from an infected person and eats food contaminated with the bacteria. Those without proper access to sanitation or the ability to maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness are especially vulnerable.

Learn more about how to protect yourself here.

Raising awareness of the risks of sheltering in waste containers

There has been an increase in the number of individuals found in and around waste bins in Edmonton, putting them at significant risk of severe harm or even death. Waste collection vehicles may unknowingly empty bins and compress the contents, putting anyone sheltering inside at risk of being injured by a fall from the bin or by being crushed during the compactor cycle. Waste bins are NEVER a safe place to shelter or sleep. For your safety, we can connect you to options for shelter and other resources and support.