Hamilton’s homeless shelters brace for an influx as temperatures begin to drop
it gets cold outside, homeless shelters are full — and then some.
The practice in Hamilton’s shelter system is to make room even when all the beds are taken.
“We don’t want anyone living on the street in the cold weather,” says Dan Millar of the Salvation Army.
Already in October, men’s shelters were at 100 per cent capacity and women’s shelters at 103 per cent capacity, the city notes.
In the case of men’s facilities, it’s hovered around that level for the past five years.
Despite best efforts, those who work at women’s shelters say they regularly have to turn women away.
Salvation Army’s 82-bed emerordinated gency shelter for men on York Boulevard is “pretty full” but not in overflow right now, Millar said this week. He expects that to change as the temperature starts to drop in coming weeks. “But we always can handle it.”
If anyone spots someone out in the cold who needs help, they should call the Salvation Army at 905-527-1444, ext. 0, Millar said.
The charity is part of a coWhen response with the city and other agencies to help people access shelters. Outreach workers respond to calls from the public to help those who may be vulnerable out in the cold.
For more information about the community response during cold alerts, visit www.hamilton.ca/public-health/health-topics/cold-alerts-community-response.