No escape from the smoke for Hamilton’s homeless

As downtown Hamilton's air grew thicker with fumes from wildfires raging in Quebec, city officials warned the public to get indoors away from the smoke. But for the city's homeless, there is no escape.

By midday Wednesday, the city's air-quality health index rating rose to a 10 - a level of extreme risk, particular for the young, elderly or those with medical issues. On Thursday, the air quality improved in the morning, but started to worsen again in the afternoon.

Health warnings were fine for those who had a home to go to. But for the unhoused, including those living in tent encampments around the city, there is nowhere to go to get away from the ever present smog, even when the air quality deteriorates to dangerously unsafe levels.

The city's shelters spaces are at capacity. Public buildings used as warming or cooling centres during inclement weather can provide some relief during the day, but close in the evenings leaving Hamilton's unhoused to breath polluted air as they sleep.

At the bare minimum, there needs to be shelters to help people when this happens, particularly since we are being told that this is an issue we are going to have to deal with going forward," said James Lambert, a volunteer with the Hamilton Encampment Support Network.

Michelle Baird, the city's director of housing services, said Thursday that outreach workers have been going to encampments to give people masks to help with breathing in the smoke, but the ability of the city to get people indoors is limited.

She said the The Hub drop centre is an option, but it closes at 9 p.m. City libraries and recreational centres are also places to find some relief, but they too close in the evening.

Carole Anne's Place shelter run by the YWCA is at near capacity, Baird said, but may have some beds for women. For men, however, there really aren't any overnight options for those without a spot in a shelter.

Poor quality is expected to persist until at least Saturday, with rain forecasted for Sunday.

Mayor Andrea Horwath declined an interview request about the housing crisis from The Spectator on Thursday. In a statement emailed from her office, she said the city has to take take urgent steps to address this crisis" and that we have to use every tool in the box and think creatively to ensure residents in Hamilton can live safely and with dignity."

Accomplishing this will require a whole of community approach and response."

Grant LaFleche is an investigative reporter with The Spectator. Reach him via email: glafleche@torstar.ca