WINTER 2023/2024 RESOURCES

WARMING CENTRES

  • The City activates Warming Centres when temperatures reach minus 5 degrees Celsius and/or when Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a winter weather event warning.

  • Warming Centres are pet-friendly and focus on getting and keeping vulnerable residents inside. Facilities provide:

    • resting spaces

    • meals

    • access to washroom facilities

    • referrals to emergency shelter

    * Individuals do not need to contact Central Intake to access a Warming Centre. Walk-ins are welcome.

This winter, the City will activate 170 spaces at four Warming Centres when temperatures reach minus 5 degrees Celsius and/or when Environment and Climate Change Canada issues a winter weather event warning.

*NEW* To make sure the building is ready to return to Exhibition Place, the City must begin gradually closing the Better Living Centre winter respite program. Starting February 20th, new clients will not be admitted into the program. The City and on-site staff will be working with all existing clients to help facilitate moves to available shelter space by March 15.

The City’s winter response season concludes on April 15. To continue to help as many people as possible once the BLC respite program closes, the City will do the following starting mid-March:

  • The Warming Centre at 75 Elizabeth Street will transition to a 24-hour respite and remain open 24/7 until the end of the winter season

  • The City will open a new Warming Centre at Metro Hall (55 John St.) that will be activated when temperatures hit -5 degrees Celsius or during a winter weather event warning

The exact date will be shared in the coming weeks.

OUT OF THE COLD PROGRAM

  • Out of the Cold is an interfaith program that strives to respond in a meaningful way to the basic physical needs of shelter, food and warm clothing for the less fortunate members of our society – as well as to respond to the deeply human needs of compassion, dignity and feelings of self-worth.

drop- in programs

Drop-ins provide a range of services that may include food, healthcare, showers, laundry, information and referrals, and social and recreational activities to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Visit Toronto Drop-in Network for drop-in resources.

IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF EMERGENCY SHELTER

If you are in need of emergency shelter space, please call the City of Toronto’s Central Intake line at 416-338-4766 or 1-877-338-3398 or by calling 311.

Central Intake is a City-operated, 24/7 telephone-based service that offers referrals to emergency shelter and other overnight accommodation, as well as information about other homelessness services.

streets to homes outreach services

Streets to Homes (S2H) and partners provide street outreach and housing-related follow-up supports to assist people who are experiencing homelessness and sleeping outdoors in finding and keeping housing.

To access Streets to Homes outreach services for yourself or someone in need, call 311.