Steps are being taken to ensure the protection of the homeless population during the heat wave.
Greater Moncton Homelessness Steering Committee Co-Chair Marc Belliveau says local organizations are providing support to those who need it.
“We have opened up all of our shelters and community centres to be able to accept up to 120 additional people on top of our 200 regular shelter beds. That gives people a cool place to go, with water, freezies and whatever they need to cool down before they go back out again. On top of that, we have teamed with YMCA Reconnect and Salvus who are going around our community to meet people. They’re going to encampments, and getting them the essential supplies they need.”
Misting tents have also been set up at the Community Hub and Ensemble Moncton.
He encourages the general public to stop and check on anyone who appears to be in distress because of the heat.
“If you’re really concerned, call community policing or the non-emergency line with the RCMP, or stop into a local shelter or community centre to report it,” Belliveau adds.
The Greater Moncton Steering Homeless Committee works in partnership with the City of Moncton and other local organizations including Harvest House Atlantic, John Howard Society, House of Nazareth, Salvus Clinic, YMCA Reconnect, and Ensemble Moncton. Belliveau says they started planning over a year ago to ensure they were prepared for emergency heat alerts.
“We talk a lot about the winter and out of the cold, but the heat is just as dangerous for those who are unhoused. So what we do is we just work directly with the City of Moncton, and we follow Environment Canada, and as soon as the heat alert comes up for multiple days, then we activate,” Belliveau says.
The intention is to be proactive, instead of reactive and rushing people to the hospital at the last minute.
“We are collectively working together to meet them where they’re at, and trying to get them inside to cool down and to find a place to sleep if that’s what they need, and then we’ll keep on supporting them along the way until the temperatures drop down again.”
Outreach workers provide the homeless with what they need, whether it be water, freezies, Gatorade, sunscreen or other items and Belliveau says there is always a need to restock. He encourages everyone to donate if they can.
