The City of Toronto says it will open its warming centres at 5 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 1) as part of its winter services plan for people experiencing homelessness.
The city activates warming centres when temperatures reach -5 degrees Celsius or when Environment Canada issues a winter weather event warning. Environment Canada is forecasting an overnight low of -6 degrees C.
"The warming centres are pet-friendly and focus on getting and keeping vulnerable residents inside," according to a city notice.
The downtown locations are 136 Spadina Rd. near Dupont — operated by the Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre — and 81 Elizabeth St. near city hall.
The city's winter services plan adds new shelter and housing spaces between Nov. 15 and April 15.
Facilities provide places for resting, meals, access to washrooms and referrals to emergency shelters.
People who need a warm place to go do not need to contact central intake to access a warming centre, the city said. Walk-ins are welcome.
If someone arrives at a centre that is at capacity, the city explained it will help with transportation to another warming centre when space is available.
Once open, warming centres will remain open 24 hours a day until weather conditions improve.
Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around zero in Toronto with a chance of snow every day this week. Overnight lows are dropping again on Thursday, according to the forecast.
The city noted that at -15 degrees C, it will deploy more street outreach teams to do wellness checks and encourage people living outside to come indoors.
Outreach staff also hand out blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing all winter.
