The Extreme Weather Response (EWR) program is a provincially funded initiative that supports community-based services to provide additional temporary emergency shelter spaces during periods of extreme winter weather which threaten the health and safety of individuals experiencing homelessness.

This program is designed to provide time-limited, weather responsive, temporary shelter spaces in communities where there is not sufficient emergency shelter bed capacity during extreme weather conditions. The expected outcomes of the EWR program are decreased health and safety risks to homeless people during periods of extreme winter weather, and a reduction of street homelessness during extreme winter weather.

BC Housing has funded HSABC to manage the EWR program in Vancouver and Surrey since 2005. HSABC staff identify and liaise with community service providers and faith-based organizations to secure shelter beds and determine weather thresholds for activation.