The Hub to provide overnight warming space for unhoused Hamilton hospital patients

For the second year in a row, The Hub will be providing a dedicated overnight drop-in space for vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness in Hamilton.

This is thanks in part to a partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and the Greater Hamilton Health Network.

In its first year, this model supported more than 300 individuals discharged from hospital, providing a total of 3,278 visits to the Hospital Warming Hub.

A statement released Friday morning notes that during the winter, finding shelter for discharged patients who are experiencing homelessness becomes an “urgent concern for physicians and hospital staff.”

The overnight warming space is one way to ensure vulnerable patients have a safe place to stay following their release from the hospital.

Located at First Pilgrim United Church on Main Street, the warming centre will open on December 19, 2025. It will operate seven days per week from 10 p.m. until 9 a.m. regardless of the temperature.

“The warming centre is a testament to the strength of Hamilton’s community partners, including the First Pilgrim United Church,” Mike Heenan, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health System said.

“It is humbling and inspiring to see our community partners work together to fill this important need. We will all sleep better knowing that there will be dedicated space for some of our most vulnerable hospital patients following discharge this winter.”

Officials say the warming hub will help emergency departments to work more efficiently, as staff will no longer have to call around to shelters around the city looking for a space with the capacity to take a newly-discharged patient.

“We are excited to be running this program again, as this is a vital lifeline to our unhoused community, who are already facing so many challenges,” Jen Bonner, executive director of The Hub said in a statement.

“These overnight warming spaces will help ensure some of our most vulnerable individuals won’t be left out in the cold this winter.”

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