There is currently no demonstrated need for additional overnight warming centres outside Chatham, according to a report presented to Chatham-Kent council Monday night.
In the report, Director of Housing Services Kim Crew said administration found no evidence to support expanding overnight warming services beyond Chatham. The findings were based on existing warming services, a lack of sustained requests for warming centres in other communities, and limited use of transportation provided to access the service.
During the 2025-26 winter season, just seven cab rides were used to transport individuals to the overnight warming centre. Five pickups were in Chatham, while two originated from outlying communities. The rides were available to transport individuals to Hope Haven, which operated nightly from November 2025 through February 2026. Hope Haven reported that 542 unique individuals made 10,141 visits during its 120 nights of operation.
Staff noted, however, that low use of the transportation service does not necessarily indicate an absence of need and may reflect other factors, including timing and safety considerations.
Administration also pointed to the relatively small number of extreme cold weather alerts issued in Chatham-Kent. Between November 2025 and February 2026, four extreme cold warnings were issued. By comparison, one warning was issued in 2025 and two in 2024.
The report also noted that over five winter seasons, 96 cold-related visits were made to Chatham-Kent hospitals by 86 individuals for issues such as frostbite and hypothermia. Approximately one-quarter of those individuals identified as homeless.
There is currently no funding allocated within the housing services budget for additional warming centre operations beyond existing agreements.
Councillor Trevor Thompson asked whether administration planned to seek funding sources for this or continuing to “ad hoc it.”
“We will continue to try to ad hoc it,” administration responded. “We rely on our very limited homeless prevention funding to contract with service providers for various programs…A lot of that falls this horseshoe and municipality to provide additional funding should council have that desire.”