The County of Lambton and the Inn of the Good Shepherd will open an emergency shelter, beginning this weekend, at the former Laurel Lea-St Matthew’s Presbyterian Church in Sarnia.
The "Out of the Cold" emergency shelter program will be managed by the Inn of the Good Shepherd and the county's Social Services Division.
Support will be offered at the shelter to better help people secure permanent housing.
The shelter is expected to remain open until those experiencing homelessness within the community can be housed within the existing shelter system.
The 2021 Homelessness Enumeration showed a drastic increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness at 236 individuals and families.
On Friday, the county said there are presently 253 individuals and families experiencing homelessness within Lambton County and approximately 53 individuals "sleeping rough."
Anyone who requires emergency shelter or is assisting someone in need of shelter is asked to contact the Inn of the Good Shepherd’s Lodge directly for intake at 519-344-1679.
The emergency shelter is located at Exmouth Street and Melrose Avenue, near Indian Road North.
Information about the county's efforts to prevent and address homelessness can be found by clicking here.