Chatham-Kent, community partners team to provide warming spaces

A plan is in place to provide a warm place to stay when frigid temperatures hit Chatham-Kent, officials say.

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With the arrival of the cold weather, Employment and Social Services announced Chatham Hope Haven will serve as an overnight warming center again this winter, a release said.

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The service is needed because 75 households are in emergency housing, with several more waiting for a bed, in Chatham-Kent on any given night, the municipality says.

If temperatures hit -5 C for a “sustained period,” Employment and Social Services will give notice on social media and by email that Chatham Hope Haven will be open 24/7 for the duration, municipal officials said.

Chatham Hope Haven, at 183 Wellington St. W., will keep its upstairs chapel light on to signal they are open beyond regular hours.

Hope Haven general manager Loree Bailey said in the past, temperatures had to hit -15 C before the center extended its hours.

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Moving it to -5 C “is really great for the population, because it means we’re going to be open a lot more,” she said. “That’s a huge step.”

The warming center provides the same services as the regular day program, which run from 10 am to 2 pm, Bailey said. Light refreshments are provided, and people can do their laundry and shower.

“It’s really just getting them in out of the elements (longer),” she said, noting a warming center isn’t intended to offer a bed for the night.

Transportation can be arranged for those outside downtown Chatham, including other areas of Chatham-Kent, by calling the Homeless Response Line at 519-354-6628, municipal officials said.

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Employment and Social Services’ main office lobby on the first floor of the Community Human Services Building at 435 Grand Ave. W. and other municipal offices in Blenheim, Chatham, Ridgetown, Tilbury and Wallaceburg will offer warming spaces during regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Anyone can be affected by extreme cold weather, depending on length of exposure. Adults over 65, infants and young children, outdoor workers and homeless people are particularly at risk.

During extreme cold weather, residents are encouraged to call or visit friends and neighbors who may be at risk, and keep pets inside, municipal officials said.

Anyone experiencing homelessness should call the homeless response line, which runs 24/7 at 519-354-6628.

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