Community partnership brings warmth during harsh winter months

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: As temperatures drop, community organizations, in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County, are working together to make sure no one has to face the cold alone. Through a renewed partnership with A Place Called Home (APCH), emergency shelter and support services will be available across the region, this winter.

The 2025–2026 Out of the Cold Program will operate from December 1st, 2025, to March 31st, 2026, providing temporary shelter to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, during periods of extreme cold or severe winter weather. When temperatures fall below –10°C or a significant winter storm occurs, the program activates, increasing shelter capacity, to ensure people can access warmth and safety wherever they are.

“We remain committed to ensuring no one in Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton County is left outside, during dangerously cold conditions,” said Michelle Corley, Human Services Manager, Housing at Kawartha Lakes. “The shelter may be located in Lindsay but these supports extend across the entire region. Our Outreach team will also provide enhanced support, to connect people to safe spaces as quickly as possible.”

A Place Called Home continues to serve as the region’s emergency shelter provider, offering 30 beds in Lindsay, along with additional overflow options and transportation for residents who cannot travel safely. “Our shared goal is to bring people indoors, connect them to supports, and move toward housing stability,” said Angela Ricciuti, Executive Director of A Place Called Home. “No one should face the cold alone.”

As of mid-November, 10 individuals in Haliburton County were staying in trailers or cabins, while 12–14 people were frequently staying outdoors in Kawartha Lakes. Last winter, 20 individuals from Haliburton and 83 from Kawartha Lakes accessed shelter and cold weather supports through the program.

The region will soon welcome the Community Integrated Care Hub, at 22 Peel Street, Lindsay, operated by the John Howard Society of the Kawarthas. Opening in early 2026, the Hub will provide low-barrier, integrated services, including 12 overnight shelter beds, daytime drop-in support, and wrap-around care for individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges, or other complex barriers.

Residents in need of emergency shelter can contact A Place Called Home, at 705-328-0905, or toll-free, at 1-866-520-2689. Outreach staff and transportation supports are available across Haliburton County. If you see someone staying outdoors, in Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton, contact the Homelessness Street Outreach Team, at streetoutreach@kawarthalakes.ca or complete the Encampment Reporting Form on the municipal website. In emergencies, call 911 immediately.