The cold weather setting in is making living outdoors even tougher for many. Greater Sudbury confirmed this week that there are almost 200 people living outdoors in the city right now, including more than 100 at the Energy Court encampment. At the same time, an outreach support group is expressing concern it can’t meet the demand for their basic needs. Sudbury Outreach Support -- known as SOS -- hosts a giveaway of warm clothing and the basics every Sunday across from the Energy Court site. The founder says it’s helping more people than ever. “For the last eight weeks, we are seeing over 200 people -- and we are open for two hours,” said SOS founder Denise Sandul. “And in two hours, we give out over 3,000 items.” City said there are about 187 people living outdoors across 36 encampment sites. The largest number living at Energy Court -- 120 people live at that unsanctioned site. “An unsanctioned encampment essentially means that it is city property and folks are staying there in the absence of anywhere else to go,” said Jaclyn Seeler, director of Housing Services and Homelessness. “We do our best to manage it through support and services to get folks connected to housing.” Encampment strategy under review Seeler said there is currently a review underway of the city’s encampment strategy, which was adopted in 2021. “That encampment strategy is being reviewed right now with internal and external partners recognizing that there are more folks staying at Energy Court,” she said. “In that review, we will be looking at space between sites to make sure that there are safety considerations in regard to fire and folks that are staying there.” SOS Sudbury said it urgently needs items to help keep people warm. Donations can be dropped off on Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Energy Court Parking lot or contact them on Facebook. “Warm winter coats, gloves and mitts are so important to save some fingers,” said Sandul. “We haven’t got any footwear. We don’t have running shoes, we don’t have boots to give out. Everything we get goes immediately.” The city said winter response programming will start Nov. 1, with the Samaritan Centre opening daytime and overnight as a warming space. The warming centre at Energy Court will move to 24/7 operations.
