Bitter cold heightens concerns for York Region's hidden homeless

Not all coffee shops willing to offer warmth

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 6, 2017
By Kim Zarzour

Sipping his morning coffee at a local cafe in Aurora this week, Dave Heard watched in dismay as two police officers entered the washroom and escorted a homeless man in his 50s outdoors - where the temperature was minus-25 degrees.

"We have this very affluent community and we have people being kicked out of a coffee shop washroom," he said. "It's clear economic times are not good and people are still struggling, trying to gain some warmth."

With this winter's extreme cold, the longtime Aurora resident believes it's time to deal with "the elephant in the room" - the growing number of hidden homeless in affluent areas of York Region.

Heard says he has seen several people this past week dozing at local coffee shops - and being asked to move along.

"Obviously they are a business and they have a right, but these people are vulnerable and just doing what they can to get by.

"They may find a place to sleep at night at one of the region's shelters, but where do they go in the daytime?"

Local development adds to the challenge, he said, because new building is covering up the last remaining forests where makeshift camps offered shelter in years past.

He points to the area in south Aurora where, in recent years, GO train travelers may have spotted hidden tent villages where homeless sought refuge. Now, these vulnerable people are losing their "homes" to development in the same way wildlife are losing their habitat, Heard said.

"We need as a community to get together to talk about these problems. Our communities are changing and it's tough out there. And the longer you spend in the elements, the harder it is to find your place back in the community."

Behind the ice-frosted glass doors of the Inn from the Cold shelter a few miles north in Newmarket, volunteers are busy preparing a meal for the expected evening onslaught.

Executive Director Ann Watson anticipates clients from across the region will begin gathering at the entrance seeking food and warmth as early as 5:30 p.m. The shelter opens at 7 p.m., one hour earlier than usual this week due to the cold.

There are places to go during the day, Watson said, but a service gap between daytime drop-in programs and night time shelters remains problematic.

Service providers hope to address that gap in three weeks with expanded hours, she said, but some homeless people - who struggle to accept help or would rather be on their own - skip formal shelters altogether, often seeking warmth at the local library, coffee shop or mall.

Those are the ones that worry Watson and something the region tries to address through its street outreach van that offers those "sleeping rough" other options, and attempts to build relationships and trust.

"Everyone is on edge these days. It sucks," Watson said. "People who normally spend their days just walking can't do that in this cold.

It's hard enough for us, scurrying from car to work or home in this bitter cold. Can you imagine what it would be like if you had financial or mental health issues, she asked.

"I think we all have to relax our standards a bit when it's this cold, whether it's the mall or coffee shops or hospitals. Most people would understand."

COLD-WEATHER CRISIS

Help for the homeless

The Region of York is working with emergency housing, seasonal shelters and community organizations to ensure people are safe and warm during the extreme cold snap, according to spokesperson Ben Sangster.

Emergency Housing

Beds are available at two of the youth emergency housing facilities (Sutton Youth and Kevin's Place). Capacity at other emergency housing facilities changes hourly, Sangster said.

When emergency housing facilities in York Region are at capacity, they provide resources and information to help people stay in their current place, use temporary overflow beds if available at the shelter, find shelter in neighbouring municipalities, or offer transit to other options (e.g. with family/friends)

Seasonal Shelters

There are two winter shelters available for those seeking accommodations for the night. Beds are on a first-come, first-served basis. So far this week, Inn from the Cold has had beds available and Out of the Cold has been at capacity. For locations and times check their websites:

Inn from The Cold (510 Penrose Street)

Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold (rotating sites)

Seasonal shelters also provide resources and information such as transit fare, food, personal care items and blankets.

Outreach Van

York Region also funds a Street Outreach Van (operated by Loft/Crosslinks) that provides clothing, food, sleeping bags and tents in cold weather. The van operates from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily and can be scheduled by calling 1-866-553-4053.

For a list of emergency housing locations visit york.ca/housing