KAWARTHA LAKES-A survey done in 2016 found there were at least 136 people experiencing homelessness in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. What happens to these people when the cold weather sets in and Extreme Cold Alerts are issued?
According the Lorrie Polito, Executive Director of A Place Called Home (APCH), there is no warming room in the City because there isnt’ a need for one. “There is no warming station in the city and it is the general feeling that one is not necessary at this time.” Polito told Kawartha 411. “Unlike many other shelters, A Place Called Home does not ask our residents to leave during the day, so a warm place to go during the day is not an issue. It is also our commitment to do whatever we can so that no one has to be on the streets.”
A Place Called Home provides shelter and 24/7 support services to the homeless—and those at risk of becoming homeless in the City of Kawartha Lakes since 1995. They operate a 19 bed shelter for youth, adults, couples and families who have found themselves with no safe place to go at the end of their day.
But what about those who aren’t “residents” of APCH? According to the survey 5% of our homeless in the City of Kawartha Lakes reported having no shelter at all and 12% in the County. They also reported being in the same predicament for an average of two years. “Unlike Toronto and other urban centers (for example, Oshawa and Peterborough), the City of Kawartha Lakes does not, at this time, have a culture of street homelessness and transient homelessness in our area is almost non-existent.” Polito states. Â “To the best of our ability, A Place Called Home is able to provide shelter and support to all those with no place to go at the end of their day.”
Polito says when the shelter is full, and overflow beds are filled, or when someone is unable to stay at APCH for any reason they try to make arrangements with shelters in Peterborough and Oshawa if those individuals don’t have work, school or a large support network in our community.  She also reports that alternate arrangements can be made for those who must stay in the area.  “We don’t send anyone out on to the streets without a plan for their accommodations.”
The survey of our homeless was part of the 20,000 Homes Campaign.The 20K Homes Campaign is a national movement focused on ending chronic homelessness in 20 communities and housing 20,000 of Canada’s most vulnerable homeless people by July 1, 2020. Homelessness is defined as being either completely unsheltered, living in emergency shelter, or provisionally accommodated without permanent tenancy.
The City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County Council made a commitment as part of the 20,000 Homes Campaign to house 24 of the most vulnerable homeless in our area by July 1, 2018.
Officials say they have already surpassed that goal. “I can report to you that as of September 30, 2017 we have housed 41 homeless individuals through our commitment of the 20K Homes campaign, within the CKL and County of Haliburton regions.” Michelle Corley,Program Supervisor – Housing Help Division, City of Kawartha Lakes told Kawartha 411.
There’s still a lot of work to do. “We currently have 19 high acuity homeless individuals who are on our By-Name-List who will potentially get in our Housing First program or will be supported to find housing and will receive coordinated wrap-around supports from existing community support agencies.” Corley says.
When it gets life threateningly cold outside Polito says local emergency services and support gorups come together to provide help.  “It is our hope that there was no one out in the recent frigid temperatures and we do our best to ensure that this doesn’t happen.” Polito says. “Local and rural emergency services, including hospitals, churches and support agencies, know where we are and refer individuals and families to us on a regular basis. Although, over the years, there have been incidents where individuals choose to live outside, they are few and far between. In all cases these people all know where we are and use our facilities to have a hot meal, a shower or to do laundry.  We typically know where these individuals are and we will follow up if we haven’t seen them in a while or if the weather becomes extreme.”
If you know of someone that someone might be sleeping outside please contact APCH at 705-328-0905, ext 226 or 1-866-520-2689 and press 1.
 photo credit: Ed Yourdon 5th Ave between 37/38 via photopin (license)
