'How do people keep warm?' Demand for warmth outpacing supply in winter months
Regina housing advocates Joey Reynolds and Donnie Wood are speaking up, with the hope to spark change to make sure everyone has a warm place to stay, especially at night.
Reynolds has been in and out of homelessness for the past two decades and is all too familiar with spending nights outside in the cold.
“Not quite freezing to death,” he said. “But very frozen when I would wake up.”
Wood helps other find housing and volunteers at various food and soup kitchens.
Wednesday morning, temperatures in Regina hit minus 50 Celsius. Frostbite can occur within two to five minutes of exposure in those conditions.
“How do people keep warm?” asked Wood. “It doesn’t matter what type of winter clothes you have, you’re still going to be cold when you’re out all night.”
Carmichael Outreach said weekly, there is someone coming to their shelter in serious condition caused by the cold.
“We’re going to experience that more and more as we get deeper into the winter,” said development coordinator Amanda Benesh.
During the day, there are six options for warming shelters in the city.
The Newo-Yotina Friendship Centre, ‘SWAP’ on Albert St., The John Howard Society, Carmichael Outreach, Awasiw – The Warming Place and the Regina Public Library are open for individuals looking for warm up, have a coffee or hot chocolate or snack.
Only Awasiw is open during the night.
“In the evening, it’s very limited,” said Benesh.
Benesh said Awasiw’s capacity is about 30 beds for two hour increments. It is also an over 30 minute walk from All Nation’s Hope to Carmichael.
“What are they supposed to do in minus 50? Walk to a new safe place? It’s not an option,” she said. “Everybody has a right to a roof over their head and a warm place to stay. We’re not asking for much.”
While temperatures will remain below zero in the next few months, the extreme cold is expected to make its return.
Wood and Reynolds hope they will see action before the situation turns deadly.
“It’s about priority,” they said. “What is the priority for this community?”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Party's over: Coyotes play final game as Arizona franchise before move to Salt Lake City
Mullett Arena buzzed like few times in the two years since the Arizona Coyotes moved in, the fans amped for one last desert hurrah.