It will be open for international students,the elderly,people experiencing homelessness,and those living in poorly ventilated housing or without access to air-conditioning.
The hub will be open from 1pm to 4pm on weekdays when the mercury hits 35 degrees until the end of February. Healthcare workers,including nurses,will attend on some days.
Cohealth says the recent wet weather had been difficult for those sleeping rough,with an increase in skin infections and foot problems.
Jason Russell,a former rough sleeper,said that when he lived on Melbourne’s streets he had been taken to hospital multiple times for heatstroke and dehydration during heat waves.
“I would have been totally dead or killed,it was that close,” said Russell,who now works for theCouncil to Homeless Persons.
He described the centre as “life support” for those living on the streets during extreme weather events.