With temperatures now falling well below freezing, the City of Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton have once again partnered with A Place Called Home (APCH), the region’s emergency shelter provider located in Lindsay, to implement this winter’s Out of the Cold program.
Running until March 31, the program allows for increased shelter capacity for individuals and families experiencing homelessness when temperatures fall below –10°C or a significant winter weather event occurs.
APCH offers 30 beds at its Lindsay location those experiencing homelessness and has the ability to offer additional overflow shelter options and transportation for residents across Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County when travel is not feasible, ensuring that people have access to warmth and safety no matter where they are located in the region.
“The shelter may be located in Lindsay, but these supports extend across the entire region and can be offered in different ways,” said Michelle Corey, human services manager of housing at the City of Kawartha Lakes. “Additionally, our outreach team will provide enhanced outreach support within Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County this winter to ensure people are connected to safe spaces as quickly as possible.”
Homelessness is an issue that extends across Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. According to the City of Kawartha Lakes, last winter’s Out of the Cold program served 83 people from Kawartha Lakes and 20 people from Haliburton County and, as of November 18 this year, 12 to 14 people are frequently staying outside in Kawartha Lakes and 10 people in Haliburton County are known to be staying in trailers or cabins.
“We will definitely be needing the extra beds, overflow, and extensions of the shelter to ensure that everyone has a warm place to sleep at night,” APCH executive director Angela Ricciuti told kawarthaNOW. “We are confident that we can help everyone that comes to our door in some way.”
“APCH and (Kawartha Lakes) always work collaboratively, and even more so during this season so that we reach those experiencing homelessness in our community and use the expansion and adaptability of our services to address the need,” Ricciuti added. “Our shared goal is to bring people indoors, connect them to supports, and move toward housing stability. No one should face the cold alone.”
In addition to APCH in Lindsay, the John Howard Society of the Kawarthas offers 12 overnight shelter beds through its Community Integrated Care Hub, a low-barrier and trauma-informed space offering harm reduction supplies, housing support, nutritional support, and community programming for individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, or any other challenges.
The hub’s permanent location at 22 Peel Street in Lindsay, where the 12 beds are located, is currently undergoing renovations to expand and enhance services and is expected to open in early 2026. The hub is temporarily located within the United Way of the Kawartha Lakes’ building at 50 Mary Street West in Lindsay while the renovations are being completed, and currently offers rest and warming spaces for those without shelter.
Residents of Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton County who need emergency shelter can call APCH at 705-328-0905 (toll-free at 1-866-520-2689). Outreach staff and transportation are available for people in Haliburton County who need help accessing shelter and services.
Community members who see someone staying outdoors in Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton County can email the homelessness street outreach team at streetoutreach@kawarthalakes.ca or complete the encampment reporting form on the City of Kawartha Lakes website.
To report an immediate risk or criminal activity, community members should call 9-1-1.
