Council supports another year of warming centre operations

By: CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After a successful, if frenetic, first year, the warming centre will be back next winter.

At the July 20 special Stratford city council meeting, council elected to approve its operation for a budget of $327,031 (with $88,560 being the city’s portion). It will operate Nov. 1 through April 30, 2027.

The centre ran for a total cost of $235,446 last year, though stakeholders advised council that this year one more social service worker and the elimination of the security guard position would be recommended, necessitating the increased cost, along with building safety improvements.

“A warming centre is not and cannot be a long-term solution to homelessness,” said Kim McElroy, director of social services with the City of Stratford. “It is a temporary seasonal safety measure. The long-term solution … remains permanent, deeply affordable, supportive housing combined with the prevention, stabilization, mental health, addiction, income and community supports.

“At the same time, as we continue to work towards that longer-term solution, we have an immediate responsibility to help keep people safe during the winter months. For individuals who are unsheltered, extreme cold can be life-threatening. The warming centre provides a warm, supervised indoor space with meals, connection to supports and an additional option.”

The centre operated for 134 days, including 19 days of extreme cold. While achieving its goal of giving individuals needing refuge more options during cold weather, it also reduced pressure on emergency response systems. The Stratford Police Service reported a reduction of 16 per cent in its contact with unhoused individuals this winter compared to last. Representatives with Stratford General Hospital anecdotally described a decrease in cold weather-related injuries, though formal reporting is not yet finalized.

Attendance ranged from eight to 38 a night. Sixty-two unique individuals created a total of 2,825 visits, with an average nightly attendance of 21.

Additionally, the use of emergency accommodations, a resource the city will use for people needing a short-term stay at a motel, decreased. Stays decreased by 50 per cent from the previous year.

Along with its successes, the warming centre did have some unintended consequences. As reported in the May 29 edition of the Times, Shelterlink Youth Services experienced significant staffing challenges after several employees left to work at the warming centre, which was offering $5 more per hour. After a petition in the spring from Shelterlink leadership, council agreed to provide emergency funding for the agency, which faced a significant deficit.

Additionally, as Catherine Hardman, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Huron Perth, said at the July 20 meeting, there were some internal challenges. Behavioral escalation increased within the space as the hours of operation significantly increased. Twenty-six police incidents occurred, 15 service restrictions were issued due to threats or acts of violence, and three individuals were trespassed due to the severity of their behaviour.

Hardman noted with increased staffing and the experience of last season under their belt, leadership is optimistic about next season.

“We're proud of the success of this past season and feel well prepared to address the challenges we faced during this initial operation,” Hardman said.