Guelph city council explores daytime shelters

Following a unanimous approval earlier this week, council will ask for proposals as they explore the idea of a daytime shelter to address significant gaps in services.

Guelph will explore the idea of a daytime shelter to address the significant gaps in services for the homeless population.

Mayor Cam Guthrie said council looked at how other cities are addressing the same issue, and that the need for a daytime hub has only increased since COVID-19.

Councillors unanimously approved the idea to explore options for a daytime shelter at a council meeting on Tuesday.

“It hasn’t dissipated at all. In fact, in some cases, it’s a growing concern for individuals that need some sort of a daytime space,” Guthrie said.

Nighttime shelters in the city are open between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., and he said that leaves some unhoused people with nowhere to go during the day.

Guthrie said resources such as information sharing, food and washrooms could be in the shelter either for housing stabilization or mental health and addictions counselling.

Council wants to ensure there are accountability measures to keep the community safe.

“If taxpayer money is going to be sent to these new daytime shelter hubs, we would have some sort of respect and good neighbour policies to make sure that things are being run appropriately,” he said.