City announces additional warming centre hours ahead of holiday weekend
The City of Hamilton has announced an interim expansion of its cold weather response ahead of the holiday weekend following community outcry - and support - after a gap in service on Christmas Eve.
The response comes a day after Mayor Andrea Horwath called for a review of the city's protocols when a cold weather alert is issued by the medical officer of health.
Homeless residents were almost left without an overnight warming centre amid frigid temperatures last week because a cold alert was cancelled, which meant city-funded warming centres were shuttered, even as temperatures stayed well below the freezing mark.
Cold alerts in Hamilton are activated when temperatures are expected to hit lows of -15 C or -20 C with the wind chill. During the alerts, libraries and recreational facilities are open to those needing to get out of the cold.
In an email, director of housing services Michelle Baird told The Spectator the city will operate Central Memorial Recreation Centre as a warming centre for homeless residents with extended hours this coming weekend.
According to the city's website, the West Avenue South facility will be open until 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 and from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Jan. 1 and 2. Baird added that the city is also working to operate" the library branch at the facility as a warming centre.
This weekend, Environment Canada is projecting a high of 9 C on Friday, 7 C on Saturday and 6 C on Sunday in the city.
Baird said the city is also working to be able to activate the interim response" for cold weather alerts in January or on statutory holidays when city facilities are closed, during extreme weather events when city facilities are closed and in the event of weather that would cause a need for extra warming centres.
There is a real and serious need for increased shelter capacity and supports in our city," she said. The city is committed to helping those that are most vulnerable in our community, particularly when there is a risk to health and safety."
The Hub on Vine Street will also be open from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. for overnight drop-in service every night until Jan. 2, said Baird.
City staff will also be reviewing cold alert protocols as well as the cold alert temperature threshold with an aim to ensure there are supports in place and space for those that need it at all hours during a cold event," added Baird.
She noted that capacity continues to be a major need" within the system that serves unhoused community members.
We will continue to have conversations with partners and work together on solutions," said Baird. We encourage any organization who has the capacity to operate as an overnight warming centre to please consider doing so."
Organizations that could open their doors as a warming centre are asked to email housing@hamilton.ca to connect with city staff.
Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com