Cold snap in Montreal has homeless shelters scrambling
Thursday, November 22, 2018, 11:30 AM - Winter has come early to Montreal, and the dropping temperatures have the city's homeless shelters already at capacity.
The cold weather has prompted the Old Brewery Mission to begin its winter protocol ahead of schedule, adding additional beds and staff to help with the influx of clients.
(SEE ALSO: The six freakiest kinds of winter weather)
"We're Montrealers. We know winter is coming, but it seems to have arrived earlier than we're accustomed to," Old Brewery Mission CEO Matthew Pearce said on CBC Montreal's Daybreak.
The wind chill left the city feeling like –27 as the sun rose Thursday morning.
For those spending the night on the streets, the frigid weather can prove fatal.
The mission is seeking donations of warm clothing such as coats, boots, gloves, scarves and socks as well as cash donations which are eligible for tax receipts.
Clothing can be dropped off at the mission's main pavilion. Cash donations can be made in person and online.
Pearce said his shelter, along with the Welcome Hall Mission and Maison du Père, are already full — raising concerns over whether the shelters will be able to accommodate everyone in need as winter sets in.
STAFFING, RESOURCES STRETCHED THIN
When the winter protocol is activated, which usually begins Dec. 1, clients are able to keep warm overnight in the mission's cafeteria, though they cannot sleep there.
Twenty beds are also added at the mission during that time.
"We're having to scramble to get all that in place right away," Pearce said, adding that, like most Montrealers, the cold snap has caught them a little unprepared.
The mission's shuttle service is also starting early, which patrols downtown and helps move people between the city's shelters.
Pearce said some of those on the street have mental health problems that affect their decision-making abilities, so they do not think to go to the shelter on their own.
The early winter weather means the mission will have to stretch its budget further this year. And the mission is also affected by the tight labour market, making it harder to find enough qualified staff.
"Any extra cost is a challenge for us," said Pearce. "We live on a tight budget, but we'll do what we have to do."
FREEZING RAIN THREAT FOR THE WEEKEND
This article was orignially published on CBC.ca with files from CBC Montreal's Daybreak.
