Beat the heat
Regularly updated information about Heat and Extreme Heat Alerts is available on Toronto Public Health’s website.
As with extreme cold weather, an Extreme Heat Alert triggers a request to all shelters in Toronto to relax any service restrictions, admission criteria and extend daytime access hours wherever possible to minimize risk factors to homeless persons. An additional 150 beds, approximately, are also made available during Extreme Heat Alerts.
When an Extreme Heat Alert is called by Toronto Public Health, cooling centres are open in locations throughout Toronto. Water and light snacks are available at the cooling centres.
Throughout the summer, libraries, community centres, and other public buildings are generally available and air conditioned. Click here for a geographic listing of air conditioned public places.
Many emergency shelters are open 24 hours a day and most are air conditioned. In addition, drop-in centres are available and several are funded by the City of Toronto to remain open for extended hours throughout the year.
Download the latest drop-in schedule, produced by the Toronto Drop In Network. It lists the hours of operation for most drop-ins in the city, including the extended hours, and provides information about the services provided by each drop-in, including meals.
Cooling Centres in Toronto during an Extreme Heat Alert
Metro Hall is open 24 hours during an Extreme Heat Alert. All other cooling centres are open from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week during an Extreme Heat Alert.
- Metro Hall: 55 John Street
- North York Civic Centre: 5100 Yonge Street
- East York Civic Centre: 850 Coxwell Avenue
- Etobicoke Olympium 590 Rathburn Road
- McGregor Community Centre 2231 Lawrence Avenue East
- Driftwood Community Centre 4401 Jane Street
- Centennial Park Community Centre 1967 Ellesmere Road
Additional assistance
TTC tokens, provided by Toronto Public Health, have been distributed to 17 drop-in centres for homeless people who require transportation during the very hot weather.
Agencies funded by the City to provide services to homeless and vulnerably housed people receive information about the City's hot weather response plan and how people can beat the heat. They are encouraged to share this information with their clients who are at risk, including information about the transportation allowance, available to social assistance recipients who have to attend regular appointments with health professionals.
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