The second temporary overnight resting space, as part of the City of London’s Winter Response Program, is now open, providing warm shelter and supports for vulnerable Londoners this winter.
The new site, located at 415 York Street, includes retrofitted, portable buildings with day resting spaces and warm overnight shelter for 30 individuals. Individuals staying at the space receive three meals daily, have access to on-site washroom and shower facilities along with supports for other basic needs. The location is staffed by outreach agencies and community partners, along with security, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
All Provincial and public health guidelines, including physical distancing measures and COVID-19 screening protocols are in place to ensure the health and safety of staff and individuals using the spaces.
As part of the Winter Response Program, the City of London, together with a number of local community partners including the W.I.S.H. Coalition (Winter Interim Solution to Homelessness), worked collaboratively to provide urgent life saving measures, ensuring unsheltered individuals have a safe place to get warm, where basic needs and food provided and a sense of community in a socially distance environment.
The first overnight resting space with day space, located at 652 Elizabeth Street, opened on December 23 providing overnight shelter for 32 individuals. Also part of the winter initiative, a daytime drop-in space at the Hamilton Road Seniors Centre (525 Hamilton Road) opened on December 21, providing a warm space for individuals to access during the day. The space serves as a Coffee House, providing beverages, meals and snacks, open seven days a week, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with staff and security onsite during all operating hours. A second day resting space is expected to open within the next few weeks located in the downtown core.