Cold Weather Shelter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2023
SPOKESPERSON: Glen McNeil, Warden 519.524.8394 x3224
warden@huroncounty.ca

Huron’s Emergency Cold Weather Shelter to operate under new model for 2023/24 season.

Huron County, Ontario – The County of Huron and Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth
Addiction and Mental Health Services (CMHA HP) have entered into a service agreement for the third
consecutive year to operate an emergency cold weather shelter in Goderich for the 2023/24 winter
season. This year, the shelter will move away from the overnight congregate model used in the past,
towards a motel model.

“Using a motel model for this season’s emergency cold weather shelter will ensure that individuals
in crisis have a warm and safe place to access 24 hours a day,” said Huron County Warden, Glen
McNeil. “This model not only provides a robust network of supports and services, it also affords a
level of privacy, space, and dignity to individuals that may not always be possible in a congregate
setting.”

The motel model will provide:
• Emergency temporary shelter from November 2023 to April 2024
• 7 days per week, 24 hours per day shelter.
• On-site staff support Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and 24 hour on-call support.
• Intake will be managed by CMHA Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition,
emergency intake opportunities will remain available.
• Guests will have access to a drop-in centre, hot meals, peer support volunteers, life skills
development opportunities, and more.

“The new motel model will continue to maintain the theme of emergency temporary
accommodation,” said County of Huron Housing Services Manager, Christine Hoffman.

“Guests will enter into signed occupancy agreements that outline expectations and staff will
continue to provide a variety of supportive services, both on and off-site, that are designed to
lead to permanent housing solutions.”

To read the report to Council on the new motel shelter model, visit the County’s of Huron’s Minutes
and Agendas webpage: https://agendas.huroncounty.ca/agendapublic/MeetingView.aspx?MeetingID=500&Mi
nutesMeetingID=-1&doctype=Agenda

For more information on Huron’s housing programs, visit: www.HuronCounty.ca/housing