Stratford City Council Approves Warming Centre for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

The City of Stratford and its community partners will move ahead with a plan to expand support for individuals experiencing homelessness.

At a special meeting Monday, October 20, 2025, Stratford City Council unanimously approved a motion to activate a warming centre at the Connection Centre at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Stratford, to be operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Huron Perth.

The warming centre would build on the support already offered at the Connection Centre through a partnership that includes the City of Stratford, CMHA Huron Perth and United Way Perth-Huron.

During the colder winter months, the warming centre will operate 7 days a week from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. overnight to provide a warm, safe space for those experiencing homelessness, or a temporary respite for those who may be precariously housed.

No beds will be provided, but the service will be a resting space with tables and refreshments, with hot meals available through community meal programs already in place. The centre will be staffed overnight by two social service workers employed by CMHA Huron Perth, and a private security guard.

The City of Stratford Social Services department will also maintain its existing program of emergency accommodations through motels, and will continue to focus on the goal of preventing and ending homelessness.

That goal is one that is shared by a long list of local organizations and service providers currently working through the Ending Homelessness Leadership Group to support those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Members include representatives from health care, emergency response, faith groups, mental health and addiction support, emergency housing providers and other community support organizations in Stratford, St. Marys and across Perth County.

City Council approved funding for the warming centre of up to $350,000 for 2025 and 2026, taken from the recent HST audit, as well as the City’s Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve.

A campaign tentatively titled Not One More Night is also being planned to galvanize support for the project in the community to recruit volunteers and raise funds for the project.