Several local groups are extending services for those experiencing homelessness during the extreme cold.
Environment Canada has issued an extreme cold warning for the North Bay area, including Mattawa to Powassan to West Nipissing.
The agency says widespread wind chills of minus 40 to minus 45 are expected Thursday into Friday morning, with extreme cold wind chills possible again Friday night into Saturday morning for some areas.
“We have the necessary facilities in place to basically make sure no one freezes to death,” says Mark King, Chair of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board.
As a part of the Cold Weather Protocol, the Low Barrier Shelter on Chippewa Street is extending hours in the morning, with 21 beds available overnight.
There are 19 beds available with 24/7 services at the Crisis Centre Four Elms while the Crisis Centre may exceed the cap on hotel usage given availability in hotels.
“Basically they’ve been capped at 20 and we’ve been trying to control that hotel cost,” says King. “The issue during an extreme cold alert like we’re now facing, that cap is being removed.”
King also notes the Gathering Place is not open overnight, as they don’t have the staffing to do that.
Daytime warming services are extended at the Chippewa Street Warming Centre from 8 am to 7 pm, the Gathering Place from 9 am to 5:30 pm and the North Bay Transit Terminal, from 830 am to 830 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 5 pm on weekends.