2/9/2011 9:44:46 PM

February 9, 2011

Extreme Cold Weather Alert in effect

The City of Toronto has activated additional
support services to help get homeless people in
from the cold by calling an extreme cold weather
alert. The alert is in effect until further
notice.

While regular City services for homeless people
are focused on permanent housing, when severe
winter weather is forecast, the priority becomes
one of immediate safety.

Year round, the City funds services throughout the
city for people who are homeless, including
emergency shelters, drop-in centres, 24 hour
street respite, housing help, and 24 hour street
outreach and assistance to find and keep permanent
housing.

During an Extreme Cold Weather Alert, street
outreach workers focus on convincing people to
come inside and provide transportation to shelters
or overnight respite. In addition to ongoing
outreach, during an alert:
• More than 100 agencies are advised of the
impending extreme weather and reminded of the
danger this poses to vulnerable clients
• 171 shelter spaces are added
• Shelters relax any service restrictions they may
have
• TTC tokens are available at a number of drop ins
for transportation to shelters.

An alert is called when Environment Canada:
• predicts a temperature of -15 degrees Celsius or
lower, without wind chill
• issues a wind chill warning for outdoor activity
for people in the Toronto area, and/or
• predicts extreme weather conditions, such as a
blizzard, ice storm or sudden drops in
temperature.

How to get an emergency shelter bed
Call 311. Or directly contact Central Intake: 1-
877-338-3398 (toll free within the GTA).
If you see someone you feel requires street
outreach assistance call 311. This is not an
emergency number. Dial 911 in an emergency.

For more information, visit
http://www.toronto.ca/housing.