Rain, Hail or Shine – Extreme Weather Protection for Rough Sleepers

https://www.smhow.org.au

The Rain, Hail or Shine – Extreme Weather Protection for Rough Sleepers program aims to expand access to our services during severe weather conditions. Extreme weather events, such as severe heatwaves, cold snaps, heavy rain, or storms, can pose significant risks to individuals experiencing homelessness. St Mary’s House of Welcome seeks to ensure the safety, health, comfort and dignity of our community’s most vulnerable during extreme weather events, including extreme heat, cold, and storms. This program will enhance existing services by extending our opening hours and offering shelter and essential resources when weather conditions are extreme. The program plan ensures we are prepared to respond effectively to extreme weather events, providing essential services and support to individuals experiencing homelessness.

We propose to:
– Alter opening hours (extending service hours). Our usual opening hours are 8.30am – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. 8.15am – 12pm on Saturday. Through this program, we intend to extend our hours by opening at 8.00am and closing at 8.00pm. We will provide an evening meal for attendees.
– Extreme weather day activities: movies, games, etc in heated/cooled spaces.
– Install a mister system for St Mary’s House of Welcome courtyard.
– Distribution of “Emergency Weatherproof packs” eg: Cold Emergency Weather Kit (to include umbrella, rain poncho, ‘Hothands’ hand and body warmers. thermal heated socks. thermal scarves, beanies and gloves, sleeping bag, etc.) Heatwave Emergency Weather Kit (to include gel ice packs, water flasks, hat, electrolyte effervescent tablets, sunscreen, cooling towel, personal fan mister water spray bottle).