As the temperature hovers below –15 C this week, the Homelessness Network of Sudbury is making sure the most vulnerable in the city keep warm.
For the fourth time this winter, a 24-hour Cold Weather Alert was issued on Tuesday. These are issued when the temperature falls below –15 C or –20 C with a wind chill.
- Doors open for the winter at Sudbury emergency shelter
- Sudbury homeless shelters offering warmth during extreme cold weather alert
When these alerts are in place it means extra space is made available overnight in local shelters. This includes the Salvation Army's men's shelter on Larch Street, Cedar Place for women and children, and l'Association des jeunes de le rue for youth, on Cedar Street.
The Elgin Street Mission also stays open for 24-hours to act as an emergency warming station.
These alerts are needed because so many people don't have a warm place to go says Raymond Landry, the coordinator of the Homelessness Network in Sudbury.
"All the shelters and the Off the Street emergency shelter are very busy. So we know that the need is there, and that we're addressing an important need. Many persons are using the service on a regular basis."
Raymond Landry is the coordinator for the Homelessness Network in Greater Sudbury. He says the city has issued four Cold Weather alerts so far this winter, including its first ever issued in late November. (CBC )
Under a Cold Weather Alert, people who don't have proper heat in their homes and apartments are also eligible for these emergency services.
Landry is unsure how many individuals are in this particular situation, however many of those who access shelters and emergency services are known to social service workers.
"Most of the persons we see on a regular basis are well known to the services that assist those living in poverty or are street entrenched."
Hotline for outreach services
There is also a phone hotline for those who need outreach services. The number is 705-675-6422.
"People can call anytime of the night if they're stuck out there and need a ride somewhere, or just to get between places in an urgent kind of manner because it's too cold to walk," Landry says.
He explains there is a van and outreach workers from L'Association des jeunes de la rue will respond as soon as there is a call.
The outreach workers are also equipped with extra clothing, blankets and coffee for those who choose not to access shelters.
The outreach hotline is also available if concerned citizens want to call about someone they may have seen out in the cold and needs help.
Landry says the level of poverty and the number of people having trouble finding housing and staying housed is a big issue in Sudbury. However he says the programs and services in place are helping meet a need, for the most part.
He adds the number of alerts issued throughout the winter depends on the type of weather Sudbury gets. Cold Weather Alerts can be issued anytime between November and April.
In fact, Landry says the Homelessness Network has never issued a Cold Weather Alert in November before, but had to this year for the very first time.
"[The Homelessness Network] invites anybody who might be suffering from the cold to seek shelter and find refuge in a warm place."
