Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County continue Coordinated Cold Weather Response

Kawartha Lakes, ON — As winter approaches, Kawartha Lakes and the County of Haliburton are once again working together with A Place Called Home (APCH) to ensure emergency shelter and cold weather supports are available to those in need across the region.

This year’s Out of the Cold (OOTC) Program will again operate between December 1, 2025, and March 31, 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 weather event occurs, Out of the Cold activation allows for increased shelter capacity. This ensures that individuals can access warmth and safety, regardless of where they are located within the service area.

“We remain committed to ensuring that 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 and can be offered in different ways. Additionally, our Outreach team will provide enhanced outreach support within Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County this winter to ensure people are connected to safe spaces as quickly as possible.”

A Place Called Home continues to operate as the region’s emergency shelter provider, offering 30 beds in Lindsay, with the ability to offer additional overflow shelter options, and transportation for residents across the region when travel is not feasible.

“Our shared goal is to bring people indoors, connect them to supports, and move toward housing stability. No one should face the cold alone” said Angela Ricciuti, Executive Director of A Place Called Home.

As of November 18, 2025, 10 individuals are known to be staying in trailers or cabins in the County of Haliburton, with 12-14 individuals frequently staying outside in Kawartha Lakes.

Last winter, 20 individuals from Haliburton County were served through the Out of the Cold program, while 83 individuals from Kawartha Lakes were served through emergency shelter and cold weather accommodations.

Early in 2026, the region will welcome the opening of the Community Integrated Care Hub, located at 22 Peel Street, Lindsay, operated by the John Howard Society of the Kawartha’s. The Hub will provide low-barrier, integrated service program that provides safe, dignified, trauma-informed support to individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, mental health challenges, or other complex barriers. The Hub will offer overnight shelter beds (12 beds), daytime drop-in services, and wrap-around integrated care, grounded in evidence-based, housing-focused, harm-reduction approaches.

If you need shelter

Residents of Kawartha Lakes or County of Haliburton seeking emergency shelter should contact A Place Called Home at 705-328-0905 or toll-free at 1-866-520-2689. In the County of Haliburton, outreach staff and transportation supports are available to assist individuals in accessing shelter and services.

If you see someone staying outdoors in Kawartha Lakes or Haliburton, please contact the Homelessness Street Outreach Team at streetoutreach@kawarthalakes.ca, or complete the Encampment Reporting Form on the municipal website. If a person appears to be in distress or facing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Media Contact

Kawartha Lakes – Housing and Homelessness Division
Service Manager: Michelle Corley
📞 705-324-9870 | ✉️ housing@kawarthalakes.ca

A Place Called Home
Executive Director: Angela Ricciuti
📞 705-328-0905 | ✉️ info@apch.ca