Frigid Ottawa temperatures bring plan for unhoused to forefront

Following a relatively mild winter in 2024 – the first in years where temperatures never reached -20 C – this week is expected to bring frigid temperatures.

As a response, the City is reminding residents to do everything they can to stay warm, and in the midst of initiating its winter service response which provides additional capacity and services to those experiencing homelessness.

With temperatures reaching as low as -29 C overnight, made colder by a wind chill, according to Environment Canada, Ottawa will see a cold snap worse than anything it has experienced in the past two years.

While a cold snap is beneficial for the success of the infrastructure of many winter activities – the Rideau Canal Skateway opened in its entirety on Saturday – it can inhibit the ability to actually enjoy outdoor activities.

The risk of frostbite increases as temperatures continue to drop. Frostbite occurs when uncovered skin is exposed to freezing temperatures for even as little as a few minutes at very cold temperatures.

But it isn’t just frostbite people need to be wary of. In extremely cold temperatures, hypothermia is also a threat. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 35 C – normal body temperature is 37 C. If hypothermia is not treated it can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

The Canadian Pediatric Society says time spent outdoors, especially for children, should be limited when temperatures reach -15 C and should be avoided at all costs when temperatures or wind chills reach -27 C.

But when the wind chill is expected to drop as low as -31 C on Monday morning, not everyone has the privilege of staying indoors in the heat.

The City of Ottawa’s latest Point-In-Time Count found that there were 2,952 people across the city experiencing homelessness. On Jan. 7, one was found dead.

Ottawa Police were called to the area of Elgin Street and Cooper Street around 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 7 to find an adult male in his 40s in cardiac arrest. he was transported to hospital and later pronounced dead.

The situation is not new. Each year headlines break of homeless people freezing outdoors while shelter spaces are bulging at over capacity. But it is one that the City of Ottawa needs to take seriously.

According to the Centre for Urban Health Solutions, people who are homeless account for 25 per cent of all hypothermic injuries and 20 per cent of hypothermic deaths across Toronto. Numbers for Ottawa would be expected to be similar.

Each year, the city commits to support those experiencing homelessness during cold weather events. Community and Social Services, and its community partners, initiates a winter service response which provides additional capacity and services to those experiencing homelessness.

In addition to the more than 900 community shelter beds and 300 temporary overflow beds in operation across the city, during extreme cold weather Social Services offers:

• Up to 60 beds at a temporary emergency overnight shelter;
• A 24/7 overnight warming and respite centre;
• Wxtended operating hours on evenings and weekends at four day program locations;
• 24/7 operation of outreach services to connect with unsheltered individuals and provide transportation to safe shelter;
• Distribution of winter supplies like sleeping bags, clothing and hand warmers.

A Temporary Emergency Overnight Shelter is currently operating out of a federally-owned building at 250 Lanark Ave. This site will remain in operation until February. Physical Distancing-Emergency Overflow Centres are also open at the Bernard Grandmaître Arena and the Heron Road Community Centre.

The city estimates that about 210 unhoused individuals will be seeking shelter throughout the winter. With the new overflow shelters in place, it says it is serving four per cent more clients compared to last year.

Ottawa’s forecast for the week

Sunday: High -12 C. Low -20 C with a wind chill of -29 C. 15km/h wind and a mix of sun and cloud.

Jan 20: High -18 C. Low -24 C with a wind chill of -31 C. 30km/h wind and sunny.

Jan 21: High -16 C. Low -25 C. Sunny.

Jan 22: High -11 C. Low -18 C. Chance of flurries.