Cold alert issued for Hamilton as shelters remain at capacity, in outbreak

A cold weather alert has been issued for Hamilton for the second time this week as shelters continue to struggle with capacity and a city official says as many as 35 people are without a place to stay.

The alert was put in place for Friday night, warning that exposure to the cold can be dangerous.

Environment Canada is forecasting a low of –17 C, which could feel like –26 C with the wind chill. The temperature is expected to remain near –15 C into Saturday.

It comes as the city's shelter system continues to be strained under COVID-19 outbreaks that have limited space and available staff.

"I don't want to underestimate how serious the situation is right now across our system," Edward John, Hamilton's director of housing services, told councillors during a meeting on Thursday. He estimated 30-35 people are currently unsheltered.

John said staffing shortages continue to be "very critical" but the city is looking for ways to add capacity, including roughly 20 spaces for men that were opened up throughout the week.

COVID-19 outbreaks are ongoing at nine shelters in the city as of Friday, with a total of 99 cases, according to public health data.

An outbreak at the Salvation Army Booth Centre accounts for 21 of those cases — 8 staff and 13 residents.

The shelter stopped allowing admissions earlier this week, but spokesperson Billy Canning said they have since resumed taking people in on a "case-by-case basis."

Administrative space at Booth Centre has been reconfigured into an isolation area for those who have tested positive and there are fewer than five beds available, Canning said in an email on Friday.

Community groups are also joining the push for more services as case numbers surge and temperatures drop.

"The compounding crises of cold, covid and an overcapacity shelter system have created a life-threatening situation in an already challenged system," said Karl Andrus with the Hamilton Community Benefits Network.

Adrus's statement was included in a media release from a group named the Just Recovery Hamilton Coalition, which released six calls to action for the city as cold weather approaches this weekend.

The list included increasing space at isolation centres for homeless people who have tested positive for COVID-19, expanding access to warming centres and looking for ways to set up temporary shelters.