Medical experts warn heat wave poses deadly risk to Hamilton’s homeless

With an extended heat warning bringing yet another day of temperatures over 30 C, Hamiltonians sleeping on the street and in shelters are struggling to keep cool while medical experts warn the heat can be deadly.

For the Cathedral Cafe on James Street North, there was a line out the door Thursday morning.

“Ice water at the door, we’re providing outreach outside in the perimeter around with things like freezies and ice cream sandwiches, checking on people for heat stroke,” says Cafe Director Molly Bozarth, from the Cathedral Cafe.

The cafe provides free meals and a place to cool off — or warm up — year-round but when the weather becomes extreme, the cafe’s director says they quickly become over capacity, averaging around 240 visitors a day.

“We’re trying to cycle people through, make sure everyone is cooled down,” says Bozarth.

The city has declared an extended heat warning, as much of southern Ontario is expected to remain in an orange heat alert for the next few days. That means that temperatures can be deadly, especially to those without a fixed address.

“It can cause a death, quite frankly, if people are left exposed in this heat,” says Renee Wetselaar.

Wetselaar is the executive director of St. Matthew’s House in Hamilton — a non-profit that partners with the city to provide a year-round outreach team to support those living on the streets.

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Their team of 8 workers bring water and necessities to more than 200 people daily and try to get them into a shelter when possible.

“They’re telling us that it’s unbearable. They’re telling us that they have so few options, that they feel like they don’t have a place to go. They feel like they’re going to be kicked out of somewhere if they let their guard down for a moment,” says Wetselaar.

“Not only are they more vulnerable to the elements, they don’t necessarily have access to air conditioning, or water, or shelter from the sun. And to begin with, some of them have serious illnesses that are not treated and the heat just makes things way worse,” says Dr. Jennifer Clara Tang, an emergency physician with Hamilton Health Sciences.

Dr. Tang says there’s been a spike in heat-related calls, and estimates she’s seen roughly 15-20 unhoused patients since the heat wave began.

“We had someone brought to us because a Good Samaritan called 911 yesterday and cared enough to check on that person, and likely saved their life,” says Dr. Tang.

She adds there’s extra danger for people who are homeless and also deal with substance abuse issues.

“If you’re unconscious and under the influence and you’re lying down and it’s 40 degrees, that can be life ending,” says Dr. Tang.

During the day, she encourages people to use the city’s 60 cooling centres — which open free to the public during heat events. That includes libraries, rec centres, and outdoor pools, where you can swim for free.

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