Region’s overnight warming spaces will open November 1

Posted on Wednesday October 01, 2025

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo is working closely with partners and the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness co-creators to support people experiencing homelessness to stay warm and safe this winter. The Region will open two overnight warming spaces and continue to support two newly opened shelters for women and gender diverse individuals. 

“We know that every additional support we can provide during the winter months is a vital, life-saving measure for our community members who do not have a place to call home,” said Regional Councillor Jim Erb, Chair of the Community and Health Services Committee. “Through the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, we’re putting supports in place to meet people’s individual and unique needs. These are priorities that co-creators and lived experts identified and that Regional Council invested in.” 

The Region also coordinates every year with community partners to provide warming supplies, resources, and services to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness throughout the winter season. This includes collaborating with organizations that are dedicated to serving women to ensure their unique needs are being met, as well as partners serving rural areas as part of a rural-inclusive approach. 

Information about overnight warming spaces and emergency shelters can be found on the Region’s website at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/shelter, along with other resources for people experiencing homelessness. 

Overnight warming spaces re-open in Cambridge and Kitchener 

The Region of Waterloo is partnering with Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services and Thresholds Homes and Supports to open overnight warming spaces in Cambridge and Kitchener. Operations will begin on the night of Saturday, November 1.  

The spaces will re-open at the same locations where they operated last winter, serving individuals who need shelter from winter weather overnight. Both locations will be open seven nights per week, including holidays, until Spring 2026. There are approximately 60-70 spaces between the two locations. 

  • 6 Cambridge Street, Cambridge (Lower Level, Wesley United Church) 

To access one of the spaces, individuals can call First Connect at 519-624-9133 (24/7) or go directly to the warming space. 

Shelters and specialized support for women and gender diverse individuals 

Women and gender diverse individuals require services tailored to their needs, including spaces and programs that allow them to maintain their dignity and feel safe. 

In response to the need for dedicated overnight spaces for women and gender diverse individuals, The Region opened two new shelters earlier this year: 

  • Frederick Street Shelter, operated by SHIP 
  • YWCA Cambridge Emergency Shelter for Women, located in the lower level of Grace Bible Church 

To access one of these shelters, individuals can call First Connect at 519-624-9133 (24/7). 

The Region is also providing funding and coordination support to partner organizations to distribute supplies and resources to women and gender diverse individuals, such as sleeping bags, boots, hats/mitts, and gift cards. 

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