Huron County's "Out of the Cold" program for homeless people is being expanded this year.
The program started at the Lakeshore United Church in Goderich in mid-January and was successful in providing overnight accommodation for people who had nowhere to sleep.
Housing Services Manager Barb Hall says Lakeshore United Church has agreed to host the program again this winter. It will operate from December 1 to March 31, seven days a week, and the doors will open at Lakeshore United at 9pm every night. The Salvation Army has agreed to administer the program.
Hall says homelessness is not as visible in Huron County as it is in urban centres, but she says they had 72 nights of usage last year. With a full winter, that number is expected to increase.
Hall says the program is offered to both men and women, and they also offer an outreach service where a Housing Services Outreach worker is available to discuss possible housing options.
County council has to approve the service agreement for the program at its November meeting.
"The Salvation Army has graciously agreed to administer the program and the board of the Lakeshore United church has graciously offered the space to run the program," says Hall. "We ran a similar program this previous winter out of Lakeshore United Church, however, it was for a shortened period and this year it would be for the full four months of the winter season."
Barb Hall, Huron County Housing Services Manager (photo by Bob Montgomery)
