Since 2025, the Town of Sidney has been exploring options to provide a safe indoor space for people experiencing homelessness during periods of extreme winter weather. This work has included evaluating potential locations, engaging service providers, seeking community input, and piloting a temporary overnight warming centre.
Extreme Weather Response Shelter approved for St. Andrew Anglican Church
On July 13, 2026, following extensive community input, Council approved a Temporary Use Permit for an Extreme Weather Response Shelter at St. Andrew Anglican Church at 9691 Fourth Street. The shelter will be operated by Beacon Community Services and will open only on nights when extreme winter weather poses a risk to people experiencing homelessness. Under the permit conditions, the space may not be used as a shelter at any other time. The Temporary Use Permit is valid for up to three winter seasons.
The proposal builds on a successful pilot warming centre held earlier this year in the Nell Horth Room alongside the Sidney/North Saanich Library, which operated without incident over seven nights and served 15 individuals, primarily older adults. The Extreme Weather Response Shelter offers some advantages to the warming centre, by providing sleeping mats and a warm meal in a more structured overnight setting, with no re-entry during overnight hours to support safety.
Operational and staffing costs are anticipated to be covered by BC Housing.
The initiative aligns with priorities identified in the Town’s Strategic Plan.
Temporary Overnight Warming Centre
To address immediate winter needs in early 2026, Council approved a temporary overnight warming centre at the Nell Horth Room adjacent to the Sidney/North Saanich Library. Operated by Beacon Community Services with support from the Sidney Fire Department, the centre was activated for seven nights during periods of freezing or near-freezing weather in February and March 2026.
A total of 15 individuals accessed the service, most of whom were aged 50 and older. More than half of users identified as Indigenous or Métis. The centre operated from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., providing a safe indoor space, food and beverages, washroom access, and secure storage for personal belongings.
Beacon Community Services reported that the warming centre operated successfully, with no safety incidents and no disruption to library services. The facility was left clean and orderly after each use. The experience helped address immediate winter needs while informing ongoing planning for a longer-term Extreme Weather Response Shelter in Sidney.
Background
In January 2025, Council directed staff to pursue options for a shelter that could be activated during extreme winter weather to provide a safe place for people experiencing homelessness.
In September 2025, a Public Hearing was held regarding a proposal to operate an Extreme Weather Response Shelter in a separate space at Wakefield Manor, managed by Beacon Community Services. Following significant community feedback, Council did not approve the zoning amendments required for the proposal to proceed.
Staff subsequently continued to explore suitable sites to provide this service.
Questions & Answers
During the winter of 2024/2025, concerned community members, including local volunteers and two organizations, asked Sidney Council to take action to better support people experiencing homelessness during extreme weather events.
These requests came from:
-The City of Victoria, which regularly activates emergency warming centres during cold weather, and
-St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, which provides outreach support in Sidney, including meals and assistance for people experiencing homelessness.
In response, Council directed staff to work with BC Housing to explore a temporary Extreme Weather Response Shelter in Sidney. This type of shelter would only open during extreme weather conditions that put the health and safety of unhoused individuals at risk, such as freezing temperatures, heavy snow, or dangerous storms. In times where the weather is not extreme, the shelter would not open.
No. An Extreme Weather Response Shelter would not be a permanent facility. It would only be activated on nights with dangerous weather, typically fewer than 10 nights per year based on past trends.
Yes, as long as individuals behave safely and respectfully, they would be welcome to use an emergency shelter during extreme weather events.
However, to maintain a safe and respectful space for everyone:
-No drugs or alcohol could be used on-site;
-All guests would need to follow shelter/centre rules and behave in a way that does not put others at risk;
-Trained staff would be on-site at all times; and
-Security may be provided when the shelter is open to ensure safety for residents, neighborhood and those seeking shelter.
This will be determined by the operator, Beacon Community Services. The Town anticipates up to 15 people based on two trained Beacon Community staff members operating the shelter.
The service is intended to support the local unhoused population but no one will be turned away based on municipal residency. In practice, individuals experiencing homelessness tend to seek shelter in their own communities rather than travel elsewhere to access shelter in extreme weather.
These concerns are valid, and they are being taken seriously. A Extreme Weather Response Shelter would be:
-Professionally operated by trained staff (overnight security may also be provided)
-Open only when the extreme weather alert is activated.
The Temporary Use Permit will allow the Town to consider how well the Extreme Weather Response Shelter works in this location.
Beacon Community Services is a trusted non-profit that has supported the Saanich Peninsula since 1974. Many residents know Beacon through:
-The SHOAL Centre on Resthaven Drive
-Employment Services on Third Street
-Local Thrift Shops in Sidney
Beacon also has extensive experience running shelters and supportive housing in region, including:
-Out of the Rain Youth Shelter in Victoria, for over 15 years
-Mirrors Supportive Housing in Victoria, opened in 2023