Temporary Overflow Shelter Beds Added At Peterborough Public Library As Homeless Crisis Grows
/With the Tent City at Victoria Park (see pictures) growing in numbers—and this area in the midst of a heat wave and possibility of severe thunderstorms—the community is acting.
Youth Emergency Shelter, Brock Mission, Fourcast, United Way of Peterborough and District, and the City of Peterborough are partnering to temporarily open 15 overflow beds at Peterborough Public Library, plus another 15 overflow beds at the Youth Emergency Shelter.
Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada
COORDINATED APPROACH TO OVERFLOW BEDS
Peterborough Social Services is coordinating intake at the Peterborough Public Library when the overflow bed space opens at 9 p.m. each night. People will be directed to available space at a shelter—Brock Mission, Cameron House, or Youth Emergency Shelter—or to one of the overflow shelter beds at the Library or Youth Emergency Shelter.
People who use the overflow beds will be asked to be out of the space by 8 a.m. each morning.
The coordinated approach to providing overflow beds will also connect people with support services and housing programs. Housing first is the goal rather than having people live in shelters.
In the meantime, the City is working with community partners to secure a longer-term location for the provision of overflow beds.
Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada
Youth Emergency Shelter has been able to make the space for 15 overflow beds available for individuals of all ages, even though it normally only provides beds for youth and families. The shelter and housing providers have been able to move families into housing and other accommodations, which has opened up space for overflow beds as a temporary service.
Homeless people who are camping at the Tent City and elsewhere should go to the Library at 9 p.m. to speak with staff who will connect them with a shelter or overflow bed. The City is asking people not to camp in public spaces that are not meant for that type of use.
Photo of Tent City by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada