Huron County Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter
By Bob Montgomery
Huron County's Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter re-opened on the first of November.
Huron County Warden Glen McNeil says this year the shelter will be a motel model. This new model will enable guests to have increased privacy and 24-hour access to the shelter. In addition, the shelter will extend its operating season by one month, remaining open until April 30, 2024. McNeil says they currently have fourteen individuals housed at the shelter and they will be provided with the wrap-around services that are so essential to assist individuals who find themselves in this situation. McNeil points out having a roof over their head is the first step so they are indoors and out of the elements, but having the wrap-around services and the professional support is key to enable those individuals to lift themselves out of their situation.
McNeil says by extending both the operating season and hours of this year’s shelter, they’re ensuring that those experiencing housing instability will have safety, privacy, and dignity available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He says they have accommodations for fifteen individuals and they will live in their own room and the hope is that with the wrap-around services they will be ready for more permanent residency and then that room will be available for someone else. So he says the Out of the Cold Shelter is not a permanent situation and it's not intended to be. It's intended to prepare them for the next step.
Those needing access to the Emergency Shelter are invited to call 519-525-5922 from Monday to Friday between nine in the morning and six in the eventing to complete screening for eligibility, conduct an intake and arrange transportation, if required. Space is limited so there could be a wait list. The Out of the Cold Emergency Cold Weather Shelter is a partnership between the County of Huron and Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth Addiction and Mental Health Services. More information about the Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter can be found on the the Huron County web site.
