Frequently Asked Questions

The City continues to respond to encampments in the community by following strategies outlined in the Encampment Response Guide developed by OrgCode Consulting Inc. The City engaged with OrgCode Consulting Inc. in August 2021 to develop a coordinated, supportive, and successful approach to addressing encampments. 

The Encampment Response Infographic outlines the process City staff follow when responding to encampments in the community. 

Housing First is a model of service delivery that states there are no pre-requisites for housing. Under the Housing First model, individuals do not need to stay sober or be going to treatment in order to get housing. The primary goal is to assist someone to secure housing that is safe, affordable and appropriate, as quickly as possible. Once housed, individuals are provided with additional supports and services as needed to help them maintain housing and avoid returning to homelessness.

The guiding principles of Housing First are:

• Immediate access to permanent housing with no housing readiness requirements
• Consumer choice and self determination
• Recovery orientation
• Individualized and client-driven supports
• Social and community integration

To learn more about Housing First, visit: Homeless Hub

The Homelessness Network provides a Housing First program in Greater Sudbury. For more information, about the Housing First program in Greater Sudbury, visit Homelessness Network.

An Extreme Cold Weather Alert is issued when the temperature is expected to be below -15 degrees Celsius, below -20 degrees with a wind chill, or when Environment Canada issues a storm watch or weather warning. Between November 1 and March 31 every year, the Homelessness Network  monitors Environment Canada and calls the Alert. When an Alert is issued, additional services are put in place over the next 24 hours to ensure people living outdoors can stay warm.

When an Alert is issued, the Homelessness Network Outreach Team operates an outreach van overnight. They transport people to safe places such as a shelter or warming center. They also provide people who choose to stay outside with extra clothing, blankets and coffee. The Extreme Cold Weather Alert program is funded by the City of Greater Sudbury, and administered by the Homelessness Network.

Street Outreach is a program administered by the Homelessness Network and intended to engage and support people who may be living outdoors, in tents, or other places not meant for human habitation. Outreach staff walk and drive to locations where people are known to be and offer help to individuals by providing a wide range of services aimed at intervention, reintegration and social and community re-adaptation. Services provided include referral to community resources, suicide intervention, immediate first aid, health support and transportation to essential services. They also provide blankets, clothing and supplies to those in need. During an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, the outreach team operates the outreach van overnight to transport people to safe places such as shelters and warming centres.

The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) program supports low-income individuals and families who are homeless, or who are at risk of homelessness, by providing funds to pay a last month’s rent deposit, rental arrears or a utility deposit or arrears. The program guidelines have been expanded to support individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more about the CHPI program, visit Housing Loss Prevention and Free Meals.

An overnight warming centre for youth is available at the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth at 95 Pine St. This centre is open every night from 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. and provides a safe, warm place for youth aged 16- 24 years.

For more information, visit: www.theactioncentre.ca..

In addition, the Samaritan Centre operates a Resource Centre from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. The centre offers a space to warm up and access to computers, phones and washrooms.

There are two emergency shelters operating in Greater Sudbury, plus some additional temporary shelter beds for youth and women.

The Off the Street Emergency Shelter is available for adults of any gender, aged 18 and older. Located at 200 Larch St., it is open seven days a week, from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. It provides a safe, warm place to sleep with light refreshments, access to washrooms and showers, and housing-focused referral services to individuals who are homeless. For more information, visit Off the Street Emergency Shelter.

Cedar Place is an emergency shelter for women aged 20 and older, or families with children. Located at 261 Cedar St., it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It provides a safe, warm place to sleep, three nutritious meals, access to washrooms and showers, and housing-focused referral services. For more information, visit: Cedar Place.

As well, the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth provides four emergency shelter beds for youth aged 16 to 24 years connected to its warming centre at 95 Pine Street Sudbury. For more information, visit: Sudbury Action Centre for Youth.

The Elizabeth Fry Society provides nine emergency shelter beds for women and gender-diverse individuals aged 19 and over. Located at 288 Kingsmount Blvd., the shelter operates seven days a week from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.