York Region Cold Weather Response for People Experiencing Homelessness

It's cold outside! What to do when temperatures drop?

The Region's Homelessness Community Programs Division issues a Cold Weather Alert when temperatures are forecasted to be -15°C or colder, with or without wind chill, for any local municipality in the Region.

York Region's Cold Weather Response Plan provides safe and welcoming services for people experiencing homelessness in York Region during the cold weather season. York Region funds emergency housing programs and a seasonal shelter for residents experiencing homelessness. The plan expands services that safeguard people experiencing homelessness from cold weather, notifies people experiencing homelessness and other members of the public that cold weather conditions are

expected or currently exist and supports people experiencing homelessness to take appropriate precautions.

The impact of cold temperatures can be extremely harmful to people staying outside for long periods of time. York Region staff work to prevent and reduce negative health outcomes through the following efforts:

• Advising the public when cold weather is expected
• Providing supplies and educational materials
• Directing people to public spaces to stay warm
• Enhancing outreach services
• Collaborating with service providers to increase system capacity

Anyone seeking shelter during Cold Weather Alerts can contact the York Region Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140. For a list of emergency housing locations please visit york.ca/EmergencyHousing.

You can also visit york.ca/ExtremeCold for information and tips about how to stay safe during cold weather conditions.