Cold weather homelessness on agenda in Regina
CBC News | Posted: December 19, 2013 1:08 PM | Last Updated: December 19, 2013
City has strategy to ensure everybody gets a bed
Temperatures are plunging and cold weather homelessness is on the agenda at Regina City Hall today.
A cold weather strategy is due to be discussed Thursday afternoon as part of the mayor's housing commission.
A report to the commission says emergency shelters were full last winter and some had to turn away homeless people.
As a temporary solution, the United Way gave money to the Salvation Army to buy supplies and equipment to help them get through the season.
This winter, a cold weather strategy is in place. The purpose is to ensure service providers work together so everyone has shelter in a safe place on cold nights in Regina.
Any front line worker who finds somebody in need of shelter is expected to take steps to ensure that the person gets a warm place to sleep that night.
The temperature in Regina was -25 C on Thursday morning, but with the wind factored in, it felt like it was around -34.
The cold weather strategy is in effect from Nov. 1 to March 31, but can be extended depending on the weather.