The expansion of winter warming services at Hope Haven in Chatham was unanimously approved by Chatham-Kent Council at their Monday, December 9, 2024 meeting.
After hearing several deputations from residents who utilize the services of Hope Haven, Council directed the Director of Housing Services to be authorized to amend the current sole source contract with Hope Haven to expand winter warming services from December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025.
A staff recommendation indicates this extended service will cost an additional $65,250 and will be 100% provincially funded from the existing Homeless Prevention Program budget.
“The increase in people experiencing homelessness is impacting a wide array of community services,” said Kim Crew, program manager for housing services, in a staff report.
“Additional warming options are needed to reduce the loss of life and demand on other emergency services. The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) emergency department is one specific service that may be directly impacted by not expanding warming drop-in spaces in the community. For people sleeping outdoors (also known as sleeping rough), the emergency room is the only 24/7 service they can access.
Crew added: “CKHA has noted an increase in patients who are currently homeless and are attending the emergency department reporting medical problems that allow for a six hour stay. It is believed that many of these individuals are attending for warmth and food versus medical emergencies. While this is understandable due to the lack of other options available, the consequence is that they are using resources that should be reserved for people facing medical emergencies.”
Crew said by providing an additional overnight drop-in space, CKHA may see a drop in people attending for social issues potentially reducing emergency room wait times.
“This benefits all Chatham-Kent residents,” Crew said.
“Hope Haven has proposed opening their warming centre each evening from December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025. The service will open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and will provide an opportunity for individuals to get out of the cold weather. This extended service will reduce the risk of death from exposure and decrease the risk of open fires.
Crew added: “Hope Haven continues to work with the Municipality to encourage and support people with accessing and connecting to services, such as Victoria Park Place for emergency housing, and providing referrals to community partners in the areas of mental health and addictions.”
Crew said Hope Haven provides a safe place for people to attend, access laundry, shower facilities, and a light meal.
In addition to this service, over the last few years Hope Haven has provided a winter warming space to the community when the temperatures have dropped below -5 degrees overnight.
Opening their facility in colder temperatures has assisted 40 individuals on average per night.
People come into Hope Haven to warm up, have a hot meal, and stay safe from the elements.
Hope Haven does not operate as a shelter and as such does not provide sleeping arrangements.
Instead, people experiencing homelessness are referred to Victoria Park Place (VPP), but due to record need this service has a waitlist, Crew added.
