The Municipality of Chatham-Kent says there's no need for overnight warming centres outside of Chatham during declared extreme cold events.
Officials investigated and concluded the numbers don't support the need for more warming centres beyond what's currently offered in Chatham.
Administration reported that only seven subsidized cab rides were taken this past winter to access overnight warming centres in Chatham, five in Chatham and two from outlying communities in the north and south of the municipality.
"It is important to note that low utilization of this transportation service does not necessarily indicate an absence of need and may reflect other factors including those relating to timing or safety considerations; however, it does suggest that transportation barriers alone may not be a primary driver of demand for overnight warming services outside of Chatham during extreme cold events," a staff information report stated. "While extreme cold poses health risks, current service utilization patterns indicate that existing arrangements, supported by transportation options, were sufficient during the reporting period."
Administration promises to continue monitoring trends and respond as appropriate. However, it noted that four extreme cold warnings were issued for Chatham-Kent in January and February, one was issued in 2025, two in 2024, none in 2023, one in 2022, and none in 2021.
Chatham-Kent Public Health issues an extreme cold warning when Environment Canada indicates the temperature or wind chill will be -30 Celsius or colder for two hours or more.
According to administration, there were 96 total visits to Chatham-Kent hospitals by 86 people for cold-related reasons, such as frostbite or hypothermia, between 2020 and 2025. About a quarter of those visits involved people who were unhoused.
Hope Haven in Chatham, which opened nightly from November 2025 to February 2026, noted that 542 individuals made 10,141 visits over the 120 nights of its operations.
The Homeless Response Line also remains available at all times to respond to housing-related emergencies, including situations where individuals are at immediate risk due to weather conditions.
