Sleeping outside is not ideal no matter what time of year, but our unhoused population definitely comes to mind as the weather turns bitter out.
Huron County is working to get as many people sheltered as possible with their “Out of the Cold” program – a shelter in Goderich working not only to shelter the unhoused, but help them gain access to vital services and funding.
If you think that homelessness isn’t a problem in rural communities, think again. Erin Schooley, the Homelessness Program Supervisor with the County of Huron, says that currently their byname list is tracking 100 consenting individuals experiencing homelessness in the county. She says that she knows the number of people is actually much higher than that.
Schooley recognized the necessity of emergency shelters in Huron County – throughout the program’s eight years, it has transitioned from a congregate space to a motel model.
A pivotal aspect is the focus on deeper support, actively involving individuals accessing the shelter in discussions about their future beyond temporary housing.
The program looks to connect unhoused people with supports, funding, and opportunities. “Out of the Cold” operates seven days a week, with intakes limited to daytime hours until 8 pm. Once the shelter reaches full capacity, they encourage applicants to join a waitlist for future openings – something that Schooley hopes won’t happen this year, but isn’t outside of the realm of possibility. Last year, the program served 53 unique individuals, and fortunately didn’t have to waitlist anyone at all.
Schooley recognized the resilience of those served but also pointed to the challenges they face to changing their lives for the better.
Although the shelter is an important service, it’s part of a bigger picture of increasing demand for shelter in Huron County.
The shortage of affordable rental units, evictions during COVID, and landlords withdrawing units from the market contribute to the rising and continuing need for affordable, accessible shelter.
Although the “Out of the Cold” program plays a vital role in housing people throughout the winter, Schooley looks forward to a future where they can close the doors.
Schooley encourages community support, mentioning that CMHA accepts small item donations, while larger items can be donated to organizations like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Monetary contributions can be made through the county.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
