Responses to Extreme Heat Events
Climate change has led to an increase in extreme heat events (EHE) in BC and globally, which are directly associated with morbidity and mortality. People experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of EHE, and the demographic is continuing to grow. From the 2023 Point in Time Homeless Count preliminary findings, the Fraser Valley Regional District reported 1081 people experiencing homelessness in the Fraser Valley, up from the 2020 report of 895 people and the 2018 report of 606 people. BC is also seeing mid-summer temperatures starting in May and lasting into October, creating the need for this growing population to cope with longer periods of hot weather.
During EHE, everyone is at risk of heat related illnesses when exposed to high and prolonged temperatures. However, the danger is greatest for those who are already more vulnerable or less able to protect themselves. Extreme Heat and Human Mortality: A Review of Heat-Related Deaths in BC in Summer 2021, found that poor quality housing, homelessness, and overall deprivation were all risk factors contributing to increased mortality during EHE. 28% of fatalities were from neighborhoods that were considered the most materially deprived and 33% were from neighborhoods that were the most socially deprived.
Challenges of preventing heat related illnesses for people experiencing homelessness often include social stigma, which discourages accessing public air-conditioned spaces like malls and libraries. In the report to the Climate Action Secretariat, Lived Experience of Extreme Heat in BC 2022, the Urban Insecurely Housed Sharing Circle indicated “There’s limited green shady spots when you’re homeless…it’s hard to find a place where you can be without someone giving you a hard time”.
When asked about the main barriers faced by their client during EHE, CEDAR Outreach staff shared that isolated encampments presented a significant challenge. “People staying in camps away from resources need to travel daily to get their basic supplies like water and food, or to find relief in a cooler area. For many people living unsheltered, travel is not a realistic option considering the lack of public transit, mobility challenges and risk of heat exhaustion when walking during high temperatures.” As indicated by Fraser Health Authority (2023), certain medications for mental health can also cause decreased sweating and cooling abilities, increased dehydration risk and decreased ability to sense overheating. Similar effects can be associated with certain illicit drug dependencies such as amphetamines and alcohol.
As part of Abbotsford’s response to EHE, CEDAR Outreach is working to address these risks and gaps in service. When temperatures are predicted to meet or exceed 28 degrees, outreach staff visit camps to provide drinking water and information on preventing heat illness, as well as assess wellbeing for signs of heat stress. If a person exhibits signs of heat illness, staff assist in getting them to somewhere cool and call for medical assistance. With the greater numbers of people experiencing homelessness in the city core, and limited accessibility to community cool zones and water, heat response is crucial to getting the houseless community through EHE.
During these heat warning check-ins, CEDAR Outreach staff also have a window of opportunity to create trusting relationships with clients and identify what other services may be appropriate to offer. These services regularly include shelter and housing referrals, application assistance, access to an ID bank for the safe keeping of documents, connection and support attending medical services, and peer support.