A temporary overflow shelter for Hamilton’s homeless men is now up and running inside FirstOntario Centre as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.
The 50-bed surge shelter inside the city’s downtown entertainment venue is run by Good Shepherd Centre and will house any homeless men who are admitted to the shelter system if the three existing men’s shelters — run by Good Shepherd, Mission Services and Salvation Army — are at capacity.
Those shelter capacities have been reduced during the pandemic to ensure physical distancing is possible within the facilities.
Carmen Salciccioli, director of Good Shepherd Centre, said there’s also space for an additional 25 beds, and the organization is working on increasing that capacity if necessary. “S