New overnight warming centre opening in downtown Sudbury to offer additional services for city's homeless

People experiencing homelessness in Greater Sudbury can access a new overnight warming centre in the city's downtown core.

The warming centre is located at 24 Energy Court, off of Lorne Street, in the trailer that used to be the city's supervised drug consumption site. The trailer has been renovated and will now operate as a warming centre daily from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. from Nov. 25 until April 30, 2025.

The warming centre will not be a sleeping space and will have no beds. However, it will have access to washrooms, drinks, snacks and a television and will offer minor wound care as well as support and connection to housing-focused services.

The City of Greater Sudbury is providing $508,000 in funding for the warming centre, which will be operated by the Go-Give Project.

"City Council is steadfast in its commitment to addressing homelessness, including ensuring access to shelter, washrooms, food and critical support services that make a real difference in people's lives, especially during the colder months," said Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre in a statement.

The city says the warming centre will have capacity for up to 50 people.

The Go-Give Project spent the week before the centre's opening training specially-skilled staff members and security guards.

"We had over 300 applicants, did over 70 interviews and were able to narrow that down to 17 amazing individuals that we are very confident will demonstrate both compassion and empathy in their roles," said Evie Ali, executive director of the Go-Give Project. 

"Some of them are experienced in the field and have worked with other community resources or previous warming centres, and we've also brought on a number of registered social workers."

Ali said staff training included crisis intervention and non-violence intervention training, as well as what to expect when it comes to challenges or obstacles they may face at the warming centre.