Sudbury emergency shelter sees influx of new people

The city of Sudbury and the Salvation Army say more people are using this year's Out of the Cold shelter than last.

What sets the shelter apart from others is that the doors are open to people who are intoxicated.

Major Mike Hennessey with the Salvation Army says on average, there have been 34 people spending at least part of the night at the shelter on Larch Street.

That's up from an average of 14 people per night during the city's trial program last year.

The director of social services for the City of Greater Sudbury said there's more awareness this year.

“Through word of mouth and through, I believe, advertisement, and just more awareness of the program, there are a lot more people of the City of Greater Sudbury that are actually using the facility, which is great,” Luisa Valle said.

The Salvation Army may need to hire because of the influx, she added.

“We are looking at staffing levels and security levels as well, and ensuring that's accurate and efficient right now. We're looking at increasing that, right at the moment.”

Nightly outreach workers report they are still busy on the street.

​The director of L'Association des jeunes de la rue, who also supervises the workers, said workers made contact with 70 people one night this month — and some were referred to shelter.

“Obviously it's a well-needed emergency shelter, for this period of time, especially,” Lise Senecal said.

The Salvation Army reports that, on its busiest evening, it hosted 56 people at various times throughout the night.