Warming Centers Urgently Needed for People Experiencing Homelessness in Toronto During Winter Months

On February 4th, 2023, Toronto experienced extremely cold temperatures ranging from -19 to -30; the coldest air experienced in over three years. These temperatures posed severe health risks for anyone outdoors, ranging from frost-bite to death. For most Toronto residents, the extreme temperatures meant staying warm indoors. However, this was not necessarily an option for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto.

During times of extreme temperature, Toronto opens up short-term shelters known as warming centers. Toronto warming centers are a walk-in and provide people with resting space, snacks and access to washroom facilities. In anticipation of the freezing temperatures on February 4th, Toronto opened four warming centers, providing 195 people in need of a safe, warm place to temporarily reside in, as well as 237 temporary contingency spaces, in addition to the hundreds of shelters across the city. While the City of Toronto took some action in order to protect vulnerable residents, many individuals experiencing homelessness were not able to be accommodated. Outreach workers and shelter volunteers, especially within the downtown core, claimed that warming centers and shelters were overcapacity; causing people to be forced to sleep on the streets in unbearable temperatures.

The amount of people experiencing homelessness in the GTA has been on the rise in recent years and the problem has been aggravated due to lack of funding and the pandemic. All Toronto residents deserve a warm, safe place to stay, no matter the temperature. This is why it is essential that all levels of government take action in creating better support systems, housing opportunities and shelters for those experiencing homelessness. Whether it means reallocating funding, or taking preventative measures, the issue of homelessness is a prominent issue that must be addressed immediately.