Closing the overflow shelter at the former Laurel-Lea St. Matthew's Presbyterian Church prematurely would have detrimental impacts for the City of Sarnia.
That's according to Lambton County General Manager of Social Services Melissa Fitzpatrick.
She told county council during a regular meeting Wednesday morning, that 95 per cent of the individuals currently experiencing homelessness are Sarnia residents.
"It [early closure] would increase the impact to the city and importantly, increase risk of harm to individuals," said Fitzpatrick. "As witnessed in other communities, insufficient shelter space would inevitably result in an increase in encampments, and an increased burden on emergency services."
She said staff have worked to reduce the impact to area neighbours, such as additional security.
"Strategies so far seem to have reduced calls for emergency services," said Fitzpatrick.
She said in the first three quarters of the year, Lambton EMS has seen a 60 per cent drop in calls regarding behavioural concerns at the site, including those related to alcohol and drugs, compared to the last three quarters of 2024.
Ian Hanney, Lambton's Manager of Homelessness Prevention, told council while demand for shelter remains high locally, the region is fairing better than other communities.
"Our local data demonstrates that our community is among very few in Ontario with relatively stable total levels of homelessness, very low unsheltered rates and very few encampments, again compared to many other communities in the province," said Hanney.
Fitzpatrick reminded Lambton County Council that it set shelter as part of its top priority, and staff continue to monitor the need and balance community interests while working toward an eventual closure of the site.
"With several imminent housing opportunities, we are hopeful that there will be reduced reliance on the overflow shelter. We have set an optimistic goal to wind down overflow operations in the spring of 2026, recognizing that this is a goal. We are cautious. Our long-term goal has always been to place folks into permanent housing, and never to sustain a second shelter," said Fitzpatrick.
She said the eventual closure of the Exmouth Street facility will be contingent on several factors, including demand for shelter beds, the level of homelessness and adequate housing opportunities in the community.
Most recently, it has been operating at between 80 and 90 per cent capacity.
Meanwhile, a motion by Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley to set a closure 'goal date' of April 1, 2026 failed.
City/County Councillor Bill Dennis said April 1 is more than enough time to close the site.
"You can't save people that are unwilling to participate in their own rescue," said Dennis. "It is causing tremendous, tremendous strife for these people in the neighbourhood. And that's something that I just wrap my head against that people seem not to care about."
Last month, Fitzpatrick told council they expected foot traffic around the shelter to drop when the resource centre closes with the opening of the HART hub in mid-November.
