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FirstOntario Centre is being converted into a temporary homeless shelter

As Hamilton’s homeless shelters become overcrowded during the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has been working to make FirstOntario Centre into a temporary “surge” shelter for the city’s homeless residents.

Director of Hamilton’s emergency operations centre Paul Johnson said during Wednesday’s town hall meeting that they’re in the process of converting the arena into a 50 bed overflow shelter. 

Johnson said that they recognize their current overcrowding situation doesn’t fit within the physical distancing requirements in order to stop spreading the virus.

The city has already set aside hundreds of hotel rooms for homeless residents who need to self-isolate during the pandemic. There are also three isolation sites for homeless residents who test positive for the new coronavirus.

Advocates for the homeless population have been working to ensure that homeless residents are being looked after while everything is closed. This week, the city has placed a number of temporary washrooms and wash stations outside the FirstOntario Centre

There has also been increased service at some drop-in facilities to help those who have nowhere to go during the day. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is opening their doors every afternoon to provide homeless residents a place to eat, use the washroom, and rest. 

Johnson said that there are about 400 people in Hamilton’s shelters on any given night, and about 750 people who call residential care facilities their home. 

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