City of Hamilton updates winter response strategy amid backlash

The City of Hamilton has announced an update to their winter response strategy as a group of protesters gather outside city hall Friday voicing concerns about “potentially life-threatening gaps” in the plan.

The newly updated strategy includes the addition of 35 emergency shelter beds at Mission Services Men’s Centre beginning Friday and 10 emergency shelter beds at the Salvation Army Booth Centre serving men as of Dec. 9.

Moreover, 40 more overnight drop-in spaces will be added to the YWCA Carole Anne’s Place serving women, trans- and non-binary people, along with a four hour extension on hours of operation.

The winter response strategy went into effect on Friday and will remain in place until the end of March next year after the city announced its plans to provide warm spaces to unhoused individuals this past Tuesday.

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The initial plan sparked backlash from advocates who say it failed to meet the needs that had been addressed in consultations with those who are unhoused, health and social service community members.

In response, representatives from the HUB, HAMSMaRT, Shelter Health Network, SOPEN Hamilton and those “forced to live outside” gathered at city hall Friday to spark a public conversation about the potentially deadly shortfalls in the previously announced winter plan.

In a statement released by organizers of the protest, they say a comprehensive plan is needed that includes planning and trouble-shooting potential issues before winter hits to prevent serious illness, injuries and/or deaths.

The City has not commented on the protest or the concerns voiced by attendees at this time.

More details of the City of Hamilton’s winter response strategy can be found here.