The City of Belleville’s Warming Centre will be at the former Belleville Police station this winter.
Mayor Mitch Pancuik notes that the Dundas Street East location will be an emergency shelter only.
Council will use $30,000 from the Casino Social Infrastructure Reserve Fund to assist with cleaning, security, and snacks.
The Warming Centre is expected to be open by November 15.
In a press release today, Hastings County stated they support Belleville and Bancroft.
“The discussion and decision to establish a warming center at Belleville City Council last night was a timely and important one. There is no doubt that as the cold weather approaches communities across the County, like Belleville, need to turn their attention to helping people who need this kind of temporary shelter. While warming centers have not been part of the County’s operations, we will do all that we can to support our communities who wish to set one up,” said Rick Phillips, Warden of Hastings County.
Phillips noted that the County is offering $30,000 to assist Belleville with renovating the new warming centre. He said that staff will work with Belleville’s Fire Chief Mark MacDonald to assist with connecting visitors with counselling and other services.
In regards to Bancroft, Hastings County will contribute $25,000 to help operate the facility once a location has been selected.
“Warming centers are in my mind indicative of the larger issue that we are all grappling with. There is no doubt that across the County we need more supportive housing, like the 40-unit Home for Good facility in Belleville that we recently built and opened. As soon as we opened it in April, it was full,” said Phillips.
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