When extreme winter weather arrives, the risks for people experiencing homelessness rise quickly. The dangers of frostbite and exposure, combined with the everyday risks of living rough, mean finding immediate safe shelter is a matter of survival.
Hope Mission operates year-round 24/7 emergency shelters, prepared for moments like this.
“For each person who comes to our doors, this is an emergency,” says Tim Pasma, Hope Mission’s senior director.
“As a team, we approach it with a sense of urgency, but it’s also something we plan and prepare for year-round.”
Across Edmonton, Hope Mission provides 990 year-round overnight shelter spaces—semi-private, permanent beds that operate every night of the year. When demand increases during extreme winter weather, additional surge capacity is added through an emergency mat program to ensure as many people as possible can come inside.
Demand can rise quickly during cold snaps, and the emergency care team responds by scheduling additional staff and bringing in extra sleeping mats, blankets, and towels. On January 22, Hope Mission provided shelter to 1,401 people in Edmonton — the highest single-day total in its history.
“The rising need is very concerning,” says Tim. “At the same time, we’re grateful that we’ve prepared in advance and we can scale up our operations when demand calls for it.”
- Read more: Responding to record need for shelter
While emergency shelter is primarily about immediate safety, it also provides stability and a path forward. Hope Mission’s shelters operate 24/7, providing both overnight beds and daytime space so individuals are not forced back outside between meals or appointments. Guests have access to hot meals and beverages, washrooms and showers, and next-step services such as identification and income supports, housing programs, and detox and recovery options.
“Another key component of our cold weather response is health services,” says Tim. “The HopeHealth team provides early intervention which prevents complications, improves outcomes, and reduces strain on EMS and the hospital system.”
HopeHealth operates a dedicated health shelter and walk-in clinic for people experiencing homelessness. On-site nurses, healthcare aides, and nurse practitioners provide treatment for frostbite and cold-related injuries, deliver wound care, and support chronic conditions.
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) operates 24 hours a day, with paramedics who respond to overdoses and medical emergencies near the downtown shelters. During extreme cold, overdoses and exposure can intersect, creating additional risk. The RRT provides immediate care and connects individuals to ongoing support.
- Read more: Rapid response reduces overdose deaths
Hope Mission’s emergency response is coordinated with other agencies and levels of government. The Hope Mission Rescue Van, which responds to higher call volumes during cold weather, is part of the city’s 24/7 Crisis Diversion Team. The Hope Mission Shuttle—another partnership with the city—provides transport between shelters, support services, and healthcare facilities.
The province partners with Hope Mission through emergency shelter, health services, and housing programs, in addition to the Navigation Centre, which brings housing, income, cultural, and recovery supports into a single hub.
Across its shelters and programs, Hope Mission serves more than 3,000 hot meals every day, providing warmth and nourishment during extreme weather. Once individuals are warm and stabilized, staff work with them to identify next steps—replacing identification, applying for income supports, pursuing addiction recovery, or finding permanent housing.
“Extreme winter weather does increase the urgency, but our long-term goal is still the same—to help people move from emergency shelter into homes of their own.”