Hamilton woman calls for downtown armoury to be used as warming centre

A Hamilton woman is calling on the federal Ministry of Defence to open up its armoury in the city’s downtown as a warming centre amid the extreme cold being experienced.

Angela Vos launched an online petition calling for the John Weir Foote Armouries to be opened up to accommodate the city’s homeless population.

“I started this petition because it just breaks my heart to see these men and women sleeping in flimsy tents while the temperature plummets to a wind-chill of -20 C,” said Vos, standing in front of the armoury for a press event Friday.

Open the armories now

Please help us get our people care during the housing crisis because this is what communities do for each other @AndreaHorwath @cityofhamilton @TheSpec https://t.co/iTfPx65I4A

— Angela Vos (@angelaVos7) January 19, 2024

She points to the fact that the 18,000 sq. ft. facility is heated through tax payer money throughout the night, yet remains empty while the city’s most vulnerable continue to sleep out in the freezing temperatures.

READ MORE: Cold weather alert issued for City of Hamilton

The armoury contains over 400 cots, nine men’s showers, five women’s showers and three kitchens that are currently unused.

In order for it to be used as a temporary shelter or warming centre, the city is required to request an emergency to be declared by the province, who can then ask the federal government for assistance given that it is a federally regulated facility.

“I am calling on the mayor, the premier, and the prime minister to get their act together and do the right thing,“ she said.

Vos is a community advocate who has first-hand seen the medical trauma that stems from cold exposure for the homeless community. She and her husband have since opened her home and recreational properties to assist those experiencing homelessness.

The city and representatives from the armoury have not commented on the proposal at this time.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton homeless advocates warn ahead of harsh winter season

Director of Housing Services Michelle Baird says the city is focusing on expanding existing services, while also finding new opportunities to bring on site.

Baird says expanding services is not as easy as finding an empty building, “it takes a bit more than that, we have to ensure that the building is set up for the people that would be using it.”

According to Baird, one other step that needs to be figured out is staffing and an agency in order to operate .

A full list of daytime and overnight drop-in and warming spaces on the City of Hamilton’s website.