Faith communities unite to open new warming centre in London

Faith communities across London are working to expand consistent overnight warming centres throughout the winter months, CTV London's Lauren Stallone reports on

Faith communities across London are working to expand consistent overnight warming centres throughout the winter months.

“I don’t think anyone could have predicted how very cold this winter was going to be,” said Sarah Campbell, executive director of Ark Aid Street Mission, a charity aimed at providing support for people experiencing homelessness.

Reverend Kevin George, whose congregation opened earlier this month during extreme cold, said he’s seen the need up close.

“St. Paul’s Cathedral did not have the capacity to do this every night of the week,” said George. “We could probably do it for a couple of nights and so I reached out to a couple of colleagues.”

Rector of Holy Trinity St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Jordan Murray said he was excited when the opportunity came up to partner with Ark Aid and other churches.

“They were looking for a space that would be able to be open for seven days a week and we were able to provide that,” said Murray.

A new warming space is now set to open on Feb. 17 at Holy Trinity St. Stephen’s, located on Southdale Road.

“We’re dealing with so many folks right now who don’t have any place to call home, who are struggling and suffering on the streets of our city,” said Murray.

This comes after London City Council’s approval Tuesday night of the Community and Protective Services report on Temporary Warming Centres.

The approved motion allows community organizations to open funded warming spaces at minus 5 C.

“It is actually no surprise at all with the kinds of numbers of people we see experiencing homelessness,” said Campbell. “Our current shelter system, our current indoor spaces are inadequate to meet the demand.”

Campbell said the new framework will allow earlier responses during cold weather events.

“On an average weekend we see up to 400 unique people,” said Campbell. “We will tell people that this location is there but more importantly if people present at our locations and we are full we will do a warm transfer and send them on a bus or cab.”

Campbell said funding adjustments will allow an additional 30 spaces at Holy Trinity St. Stephen’s.

“This area doesn’t have a lot of services and so we are actually really hopeful that we will see new people coming from encampments, new people who are experiencing homelessness, find a resource and be able to start their journey towards a permanent home.” said Campbell.

The centre will be open daily from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. until April.