Going about my business on Wednesday afternoon — which, like the rest of you, involved trying to stay warm during this deep freeze — this tweet caught my attention:
It came on the heels of news out of Toronto, where two homeless men have died this week. That prompted Toronto Mayor John Tory to ask that the city’s warming centres be opened.
Here in Ottawa, there are no warming centres per se. Instead, public health officials tell me that the city has developed a plan to respond to the needs associated with extreme cold weather conditions for people who are homeless and or at risk of becoming homeless by partnering with community agencies and groups.
From the city’s website:
The City’s Call Line: 3-1-1 or 613-580-2626
The City’s Call Line is available to respond to calls 24 hours a day. Calls are answered by the City of Ottawa Call Centre on a priority basis and referred to appropriate service providers.
City of Ottawa emergency housing
- Family Shelters, Tel: 3-1-1 (24 hours)
Emergency Shelters
The following shelters have regular emergency programs and will respond to calls as per their respective policies and procedures.
- Cornerstone: 172 O’Connor Street
Women’s shelter
Tel: 613-237-4669 (24 hrs), Fax: 613-237-5659 - Salvation Army: 171 George St.
Men’s Shelter
Tel: 613-241-1573; Fax: 613-241-2818 - Shepherds of Good Hope: 233 Murray St.
Men’s Shelter; Women’s Shelter
Tel: 613-789-8210; Fax: 613-789-0888 - The Mission: 35 Waller St.
Men’s Shelter
Tel: 613- 234-1144, Fax: 613-234-2813 - Youth Services Bureau:
Young Women’s Shelter
Tel: 613-789-8220, Fax: 613-789-9585
Young Men’s Shelter
Tel: 613-907-8975, Fax: 613-907-8976
When a frostbite warning is in effect, the city says, the Salvation Army operates its Street Outreach Van 24 hours a day. That means workers are looking for homeless people who may need to be encouraged to come in from the cold and they provide supplies such as mitts, hats, socks and blankets, as well as warm drinks.
I’m also told the emergency shelters in Ottawa all work together to ensure everyone has an indoor place to be when it is cold out. They run programs during the day and ensure all who need a place to sleep are accommodated.
If, in your travels, you come across a person that you’re concerned about, the city encourages residents to call 3-1-1. Calls are answered on a priority bases and referrals are made to the appropriate services, the city says.
It’s cold out there, but that’s no excuse for us to lose the personal warmth Ottawa residents are known for.
