The Ministerial Association of Goderich is ready to launch a program to address the needs of homeless people through the winter.
Lakeshore United Church has volunteered to host a pilot project for four months to give them an idea of what the need is, and if they have enough help to meet that need.
Minister Kate Ballagh-Steeper explains the program would run from November until March and would provide an evening meal, a bed, and breakfast for people who have no place to get out of the cold.
She says the church that is willing to host the program on a full-time basis, but some renovations will have to be made to the building. The next step is determining from the pilot project what the need is, and their ability to meet that need.
Ballagh-Steeper points out there are a lot of people that couch-surf; a lot of people who live in precarious housing; a lot of people who move around a lot; and a lot of people who move to the city but don't want to be in the city.
She suggests if there is a way of keeping those people in our community longer, then there's a chance to work with them and help them find more permanent housing.
