City and Salvation Army Partner to Offer Out of the Cold Shelter for 2015-2016

As part of its commitment to assisting the city’s vulnerable population, the City of Greater Sudbury will enter into an agreement with the Salvation Army to offer the Out of the Cold Shelter from November 1, 2015 to April 15, 2016. The program will be run out of a City-owned building at 200 Larch Street.

Under this partnership, which was approved by Council today, the program will provide temporary cots and a warm, safe place to sleep for homeless and vulnerable individuals during the winter months.  The Out of the Cold program, which was offered in 2013 and in 2014, offers services to persons who are under the influence or otherwise disconnected from mainstream shelter services; however alcohol and drugs are not permitted on the premises.

“I am very pleased that we will continue our partnership with the Salvation Army to provide care and shelter to the homeless in our city,” said Mayor Brian Bigger. “I want to thank our partners in the community who have helped to provide this service over the years.”  

Between December 4, 2014 and March 31, 2015, there were 4,430 visits to the shelter, representing on average 36 people per night. The Out of the Cold Emergency shelter program is an enhancement to the existing 69 emergency shelter beds that the City funds for men, women and children, and youth. The need to increase the diversity of emergency shelter options was identified as a priority in the City of Greater Sudbury’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan.

“This shelter is a vital piece in the network of services for our community’s most vulnerable,” said Tim Beadman, General Manager of Health, Social and Emergency Services. “We will work over the coming months to ensure that the Larch Street facility is ready for the opening of the shelter in November; in the meantime, we will continue to work with our partners in the community to coordinate and enhance programming options.”  

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