Temperatures have been consistently cold over the past few weeks, and that's prompted an increase in people accessing emergency housing and other services.
As of early January, there were fewer than 30 residents still at Sarnia's Rainbow Park with many having left for a warm shelter spot.
County of Lambton Manager of Homelessness Prevention and Social Planning Ian Hanney said places like the Good Shepherd's Lodge and River City Vineyard have been busy.
"We've seen the adult shelter spaces approach and, in a couple of instances, eclipse 90 per cent capacity," said Hanney. "Vacancy rates are highly variable and change from day to day significantly. Altogether, inclusive of the youth shelter, our overall system capacity on a monthly average is typically in the low 80 per cent range."
Hanney said mobile resources continue to be available at encampments, including Rainbow Park.
"The coordinated, multi-disciplinary outreach services that we deliver in partnership with several other agencies continues," he said. "Folks have access to an abundance of service, much of it mobile, by way of outreach teams from the Social Services team, North Lambton Community Health Centre, Lambton EMS Community Health Integrated Care Team, Sarnia Police Service's IMPACT, Lambton Public Health and the Mobile Care Bus."
Hanney said just in the past year, they've had more than 30 families newly experience homelessness.
He said it came to the point where they all needed emergency housing.
"That's more than 80 parents and children," said Hanney. "But, through those coordinated efforts across various local providers, as of today we only have four active families in emergency housing. There's a tremendous amount of positive work happening locally despite this overwhelming need."
Hanney also notes there's a protocol in place for severe weather warnings.
"Some warming centre hours will be extended, including additional staff and security coverage," he said. "Outreach teams will be armed with this knowledge to promote any alerts and expansion of services with some custom handouts. Lambton Public Health issues these weather alerts typically at -15 C before windchill."
Those wanting to help combat homelessness are encouraged to "Be Part of the Solution."
The campaign was highlighted during a rally held by The Poverty Reduction Network in October.
You can read more by visiting the County of Lambton's website.