Toronto warming centres now closed after frigid Saturday night
York Region cold weather alert for those experiencing homelessness also ended
The City of Toronto has closed its warming centres after opening them Saturday as temperatures dropped below zero overnight.
The city opened its five warming centres at 5 p.m. Saturday, as temperatures in the city were forecast to reach a low of –7 C Saturday night, with wind chills expected to make it feel even colder.
At noon Sunday, warming centres closed, the city said in a post on X.
"Staff are working to refer individuals who remain onsite to alternate spaces in the shelter system," the post said.
In York Region, a cold weather alert issued Saturday for people experiencing homelessness has also ended.
Toronto warming centres open when temperatures reach –5 C or when Environment Canada issues a winter weather event warning. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 1 C, with a low of –1 on Sunday night.
Warming centres are pet-friendly locations that provide resting spaces, meals, access to washroom facilities and referrals to emergency shelter.
Walk-ins are welcome, and if a warming centre is full, the city says it will arrange for transportation to another location.
People in the region who need shelter are asked to call the York Region Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675, ext. 76140, which is a 24/7 phone line.
They can also contact the Street Outreach Van, which provides mobile services and supports for people experiencing homelessness, at 1-866-553-4053. The phone line operates from 2 p.m to 9 p.m.