Off the Street Emergency Shelter temporarily relocated to hotel during COVID-19 pandemic
(October 29, 2019, SUDBURY) – The Canadian Mental Health Association – Sudbury/Manitoulin (CMHA-S/M) is set to open doors to the permanent location of the Off The Street (OTS) emergency shelter on November 25, 2019 at 200 Larch Street in Sudbury.
Greater Sudbury Council transferred 200 Larch Street to CMHA-S/M in 2017 for the creation of a centralized facility for those experiencing chronic homelessness, substance use disorders and mental illness. Renovations are now almost complete with over $2 million provided by the Province of Ontario’s Home for Good program and an interest-free loan provided by the City of Greater Sudbury. “This year we are pleased to announce that OTS emergency shelter will be permanently located at 200 Larch Street,” said Marion Quigley, outgoing CEO, CMHA-S/M. “Construction at 200 Larch Street began last March 25 and since that time things have progressed quickly.”
OTS emergency shelter will operate year-round and offer 30 cots. Open seven days a week from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., the shelter provides a safe warm place to sleep with light snacks, outreach and referral services to individuals 18+ of all genders who are homeless and unable to access other shelter services.
As a low barrier shelter, OTS aims to help as many people as possible. The shelter will not turn away people who are under the influence. However, security will conduct bag checks, and no drugs, alcohol or weapons will be permitted on the premises.
CMHA’s Harm Reduction Home and Sudbury District Nurse Practitioner Clinic’s third location will also be operating out of 200 Larch Street. The two programs are scheduled to open in the new year.
“We look forward to working closely with all of our partners to provide this low barrier shelter for some of our downtown citizens that have nowhere else to go,” said Cindy Rose, CMHA Manager, Harm Reduction and Shelter Services.
Last year, OTS emergency shelter was temporarily located at Church of Christ the King for the winter season while 200 Larch was undergoing extensive renovations. This year, CMHA-S/M has been operating a temporary low barrier men’s shelter at 146 Larch Street since September. When the permanent location of OTS opens at 200 Larch Street on November 25, 2019 the temporary men’s shelter will close.
The OTS and temporary men’s shelters accept donations of coffee, tea, lozenges, toiletries (toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, lip balm), as well as new socks and undergarments. Please call CMHA-S/M at 705-675-7252 for donation inquiries.
Fast Facts:
- Over the course of the 2018/2019 winter season, OTS had over 460 uniquely identified individuals and helped permanently house over 30 people.
- The OTS staff successfully provided services to individuals with supports from over 20 community partners and volunteers throughout the season.
- Moving the low barrier OTS emergency shelter to a permanent year-round program was a recommendation of the City of Greater Sudbury Emergency Shelter Evaluation completed in March, 2019.
- OTS emergency shelter is funded through the City of Greater Sudbury’s Homelessness Initiatives.