The Homelessness Network of Sudbury is announcing an Extreme Cold Weather Alert for the next 24 hours.
The Extreme Cold Weather Alert program is an initiative funded by the City of Greater Sudbury to protect those who are most vulnerable to intensely cold weather conditions.
This alert will put into action a short-term emergency plan to increase community services when the temperature is predicted to be below -15 degrees Celsius, below -20 with a wind chill, or when Environment Canada issues a storm watch or weather warning.
People on the street will be encouraged to voluntarily access shelters and services. Individuals who may be at risk due to low temperatures in their homes are also eligible for these services. Under a community partnership agreement, agencies will implement or extend the following community services:
Hot Line: 705-688-6975: L’Association des jeunes de la rue will operate an overnight phone line to direct callers to appropriate services and to take calls from concerned citizens.
Warming Centres:
The Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury (Day Center location at 19 Frood Rd.) will be open throughout the day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. They will provide a warm seating area and hot beverages as well as housing navigation services.
The YMCA Sudbury, 140 Durham St, will open a drop-in warming station 7 nights a week until March 31. Hours of operation are 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. They will provide a warm place to sit, hot beverages and access to showers.
Shelters:
Emergency shelter program for homeless families is available 24 hours through:
Salvation Army (Cedar Place) for women and children- 261 Cedar Street
The CMHA- Off the Street (OTS) Emergency Shelter Program for all gender adults aged 18 and older will run from 10 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. every night at 200 Larch Street.
Outreach: L’Association des jeunes de la rue (Community Outreach Program) will provide overnight services to make contact with people on the street and to transport individuals to warming spaces.
Outreach workers will be equipped with extra clothing, blankets and supply hot beverages for those who choose not to access shelters. (705-698-6975)
*Due to COVID-19, there will be a limit to passenger allowance in vehicles at one time.
