As the winter weather hits London, Ontario, those who are less fortunate have to bare the cold conditions. The first cold alert from Middlesex London Health Unit was issued on Tuesday which triggered the threshold to open the cities warming centres, but those looking for a warm place to sleep weren’t quite as lucky last week.
London did not open warming centres last week because the city says criteria hadn’t been met.
“Responses should always be reviewed and adjusted as needed but needs vs capacities need to be considered.” says Carol-Anne Blanchard, chair of the London Homeless Coalition.
According to the City of London, warming centres open when one of the following criteria is met
- Environment Canada forecasts low temperature of -15 C or lower;
- Environment Canada forecasts wind chill of -20 or lower; or if
- Environment Canada issues a ‘Cold Alert’ or ‘Cold Warning’.
“This is an all hands-on deck crisis that needs to meet people where they are at. That could look like more centralized access to centres, transactional services from outreach workers and community establishments being more lenient on the populations seeking a place to warm up for a while without expecting something in return.”
The City’s website lists several warming centres but they’re only accessible when there is a cold weather alert.
- East Lions Community Centre located at 1731 Churchill Avenue.
The North London Optimist Community Centre, one of the city’s warming centres. (XFM News/Will Bruce)
- North London Optimist Community Centre located at 1345 Cheapside Street.
- South London Community Centre located at 1119 Jalna Boulevard.
- Canada Games Aquatic Centre located at 1045 Wonderland Rd N
- Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre is located at 656 Elizabeth Street
The London Public Library Central Branch is also be available as a warming space during extreme weather alerts.
But homeless advocates say the locations are not always convenient.
“These centres aren’t often in the downtown core, yet the centres are on various ends of the city with the exception of the London Public Library – Central Branch. If someone needs to walk to access a centre, they may prefer remaining where they are.” says Blanchard.
She adds there are fewer options because some non-city run sites have closed for financial reasons.
“Again, you need to consider that these centres do come with a price tag regardless if people are volunteering their time to keep the centres open or if they are open within regular hours of operation.”
The City of London says 1,595 people were experiencing homelessness at the end of 2024.
