Developing Emergency Mat Programs 

Often, rural and remote communities do not have emergency shelters or supportive/ transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness. In addition, communities may be limited in the resources, staff capacity, trained volunteers, as well as the time needed to implement longer-term responses to homelessness, such as housing or shelter solutions, particularly prior to the onset of inclement weather conditions. Therefore, mat programs may be the only immediate response to homelessness possible for these communities, and can be especially necessary during the coldest months of the year.

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