Sudbury purchases building to add more shelter beds and services

Movers are busy at 307 Cedar St., a building Greater Sudbury recently purchased where The Homelessness Network operates some services but is relocating.

The building was formerly a youth shelter that closed in 2020 and it will once again offer overnight shelter beds.

Movers are busy at 307 Cedar St., a building Greater Sudbury recently purchased where The Homelessness Network operates some services but is relocating. (Photo from video)

"The number of people experiencing homelessness in our community has been rising," said Gail Spencer, the manager of housing stability and homelessness for the City of Greater Sudbury.

"We have over 300 people on our by-name list looking for a place to live ... Emergency shelter beds are one way that we provide support to people while they are experiencing homelessness and trying to get housed."

The Elizabeth Fry Society will be the service provider. It currently operates the Safe Harbour House on Kingsmount Blvd., offering 10 beds for women and gender-diverse individuals.

It will move to the new location, offering 26 beds and other amenities including a hot meal.

"Oftentimes people, especially in winter months like we are in now, when they come in at 9 o’clock at night they are wet, they are cold, their clothes are wet that they’ve been in all day," said Cory Roslyn, the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Northeastern Ontario.

"People need a hot shower and people need something warm in their belly and that’s part of what makes people feel safe and feel that they are able to rest."

Officials said the new location will also fill a gap for female youth 16 and up.

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"Youth is, I think, a big part of hidden homelessness in our community," Roslyn said.

"Since the Sudbury Action Centre For Youth unfortunately closed last year, there hasn’t been a dedicated space for youth."

Officials said longer term, the goal is to offer transitional housing at the Cedar Street location.

In the meantime, those using the new shelter will be connected to community partners offering services to help address the homelessness they are experiencing.

The aim is to open the doors in December.