Sudbury mayor outlines plan to care for city's homeless this winter

If approved by city council later this month, the former safe consumption site on Energy Court in Sudbury will become an overnight warming centre this winter, Mayor Paul Lefebvre said Tuesday.

The warming centre, which will be open from Nov. 1 until April 30 and house 50 people, is one of the ways the city is proposing to care for homeless people as the winter season approaches.

In addition, the plan would see Samaritan Centre on Elgin Street have longer operating hours and able to accommodate 25 people.

The plan also calls for more emergency shelter beds and service hours at the CMHA Off the Street Shelter and the Elizabeth Fry Safe Harbour House, which provides low-barrier shelter beds for adult women and those who identify as non-binary.

"The challenges we are seeing in our communities with regards to mental health, addictions and homelessness are very real," Lefebvre said in a news release Tuesday.

"As temperatures start to cool, it's crucial that we ensure our most vulnerable citizens have access to the services and supports they need to stay safe and warm."

"I am firmly in support of plans being presented to city council this week by city staff to enhance our efforts to support our unhoused population during the winter of 2024-2025."

In August, Lefebvre said he advocated for provincial support for things like the city's Lorraine Street Transitional Housing Care Program "to help individuals recover from their mental health, addiction and homelessness challenges."

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"Greater Sudbury has made historical investments and have proven solutions that work to address the challenges we’re facing," he said.

"I encourage everyone to support these initiatives as we continue to strive for a compassionate and inclusive Greater Sudbury, where every resident has a safe place to turn to, regardless of the challenges they face. 

The plan goes to the community and emergency services committee Sept. 9.