Hot Weather: Impact on Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Today’s high temperatures can be dangerous for young people experiencing homelessness.

For most of us, staying safe in extreme heat means turning on a fan, finding air conditioning, drinking cold water, or staying indoors. For young people experiencing homelessness, those options often don’t exist.

Spending hours outside in the sun can quickly become dangerous.
Without access to cool spaces, water, or basic supplies, youth are at greater risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related illnesses.

But you can help.

At Covenant House Vancouver, young people can find:
– Cool, air-conditioned spaces to escape the heat
– Fresh water and nourishing meals
– Sunscreen and other essential supplies
– Showers and a safe place to cool down

When temperatures soar, these services become even more critical.

Donate today to help ensure youth have access to the care, comfort, and relief they need during dangerous heat events.

Quick Facts:

Heat stroke can set in just 10-15 minutes
Extreme heat is marked by temperatures that stay 10° or more above the average high
Unhoused people are around 200 times more likely to die from a heat-related cause than sheltered individuals
Heat-related health issues are more common in neighbourhoods like downtown with limited greenspace, high density population, and proximity to major roads.

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