With the temperature dropping and demand for shelter rising local agencies are launching a pilot project to bring more people in from the cold.
Originally set up for 42 beds, extending Shelter House’s capacity to 62 hasn’t been enough to meet an increasing demand from people in Thunder Bay needing a warm place to stay.
“We have been turning people away and we are facing a really dire situation this winter,” Shelter House executive director Patty Hajdu told city council Monday night.
The shelter, along with the Salvation Army, has come up with a three-pronged approach to help and hopefully avoid a death from exposure that the estimated 500 homeless people in the city are at risk of during the winter.
“I don’t want that day to ever come,” Coun. Andrew Foulds said.
As early as next month a mobile street outreach service would be available 12 hours a day. That would help transport people between the two shelters when beds become available and reach out to people sleeping outdoors with everything from hot meals to sleeping bags.
It would also help emergency services deal with people who may not need that kind of assistance, such as public intoxication. Superior North EMS chief Norm Gale said that might not save the city a lot of money but would help free up valuable resources. Often paramedics respond to calls where a person doesn’t need medical assistance.
“They simply require help in another fashion,” he said.
While the Salvation Army won’t take anyone who is intoxicated, executive director Rob Kerr said through the transportation program it’s possible they could switch with someone who may be sober at Shelter House. Shelter House will also be renovating a room for people to use in the daytime who need a break from the weather.
The program would run until about mid-April and cost about $96,500. The city is being asked to help with $35,000, which got council’s full support. City staff will now look into where the money will come from. Coun. Joe Virdiramo said he thinks it’s something the city needs.
“I don’t really see this as a pilot because I think this is going to be successful,” he said.
