No decision yet on temporary homeless shelter

While talks with the Salvation Army are going well, there's still no word on when a temporary homeless shelter will open in Greater Sudbury.

That was the update city councillors received Tuesday on efforts to quickly open a place for homeless people in Sudbury with no place to sleep overnight this winter.

The shelter would accommodate those left in the cold when the Elgin Street Mission stopped offering overnight accommodations this winter, due to budget and logistical problems. The Salvation Army operates overnight beds in Sudbury, but doesn't normally allow intoxicated people inside.

However, meeting Feb. 3, members of the community services committee approved a plan that would see either beds open at the Salvation Army or at the former downtown police station, on a trial basis running until the end of March.

Local Salvation Army officials need approval from superiors in Toronto to open and operate a shelter that is contrary to their policies requiring sobriety.

If an arrangement can't be worked out, the former police station on Larch Street could be used until the end of winter. Funding will come from transitional money provided by the province to help cities adjust to cuts in funding for homeless programs.

@darrenmacd