Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing
On this page
- Emergency shelters in Waterloo Region
- Interim housing and transitional housing
- Relief from heat, cold and poor air quality
- Pocket card of shelters, services and outreach
- Drop-in programs
- Food help and meals
- Outreach services
- Welcome Spaces
Emergency shelters are a safe place for people to stay while they work to find stable housing. The Region of Waterloo provides funding to several shelters across Waterloo Region.
If you are at risk of losing your home, explore all of your options before turning to a shelter. Some options include applying for financial help or talking with someone who can help.
Emergency shelters in Waterloo Region
If you are an adult (18+ years) and need emergency shelter, call First Connect at 519-624-9133 (24/7).
Families, call 519-749-2450 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) or 519-501-7947 (after hours).
Youth (16 to 25 years), call 519-749-1450 (24/7).
You can view emergency shelter options in the list below, organized by city. It includes information about who each shelter serves, as well as amenities on site and in the neighbourhood.
Each shelter receiving funding from the Region is part of a coordinated system. We work together to help people find a safe and appropriate place to stay, which may or may not include a shelter.
Find information about overnight warming centres that operate during the winter.
| Cambridge |
BridgeCare, 160 Hespeler Road, Cambridge
The Bridges Shelter (Cambridge Shelter Corporation), 26 Simcoe Street, Cambridge
YWCA Cambridge Shelter at Grace Bible Church, 2 Grand Avenue South, Cambridge
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| Kitchener |
Edith Mac Shelter, 104 Stirling Avenue South, Kitchener
OneROOF Youth Services Shelter, 35 Sheldon Avenue North, Kitchener
Out of the Cold Shelter (SHIP), 84 Frederick Street, Kitchener
Safe Haven Emergency Shelter, 41 Weber Street West, Kitchener
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| Waterloo |
Erbs Road Shelter, 1001 Erbs Road, Waterloo
House of Friendship ShelterCare, 190 Weber Street North, Waterloo
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Interim housing and transitional housing
Interim Housing and Transitional Housing provide access to housing that is time limited and serves to promote housing stability.
| CMW, Dar-al-Aman |
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The CMW Dar-al-Aman program, provides temporary housing to racialized women and their children. Supports are provided to gain housing stability, with staff on site 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week.
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| Marillac Place |
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Marilla Place provides transitional housing to women aged 16+ who are pregnant, have a child under 24 months in their care, or who are attempting to regain care of their child.
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Life Launch for Youth (Safe Haven Youth Services - Lutherwood) |
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Service & Housing In the Province (SHIP) - Frederick Street |
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SHIP provides transitional housing and supports for women and gender diverse individuals. Supports are provided 24 hours/day, 7 days/week with staff onsite.
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Service & Housing In the Province (SHIP) - University Avenue |
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SHIP provides transitional housing and supports for individuals and couples. Supports are provided 24 hours/day, 7 days/week with staff onsite.
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Relief from heat, cold or poor air quality
Warming, Cooling and Clean Air (WCCA) Spaces provide indoor space for temporary relief from heat, cold, and poor air quality during regular business hours. Visit the WCCA Space webpage for hours of operation, an interactive map of WCCA Spaces and an option to print WCCA Spaces near you.
Find a Warming, Cooling or Clean Air Space
Overnight Warming Spaces
Three overnight warming spaces are operating through the winter months for people who need shelter from winter weather overnight. To access a warming space, individuals can call First Connect at 519-624-9133 (24/7) or call the warming centre directly. Drop-ins are also accepted.
Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services Overnight Warming Space
- Address: 6 Cambridge Street, Cambridge (Lower Level, Wesley United Church)
- Hours: 8:30 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days per week including holidays
- Spaces for cis and trans men
- Phone number: 226-898-9546
Thresholds Homes and Supports Overnight Warming Space
- Address: 298 Lawrence Avenue, Kitchener
- Hours: 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days per week including holidays
- Flexibility to accommodate all genders
- Phone number: 519-579-5009
The Working Centre - St. John's Kitchen Overnight Warming Space
- Address: 97 Victoria Street North, Kitchener
- Hours: 8:30 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days per week
- All genders
- Phone number: (519) 743-1151
Pocket card of shelters, services and outreach
Keep a list of locations and contact information for shelters, drop-in programs, food resources and street outreach with you when you need it with this pocket card.
Drop-in programs
Drop-ins provide a range of services that may include food, healthcare, showers, laundry, information and referrals, and social and recreational activities to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Cambridge |
Cambridge Vineyard, 147 Elgin Street North, Cambridge
MACS (Multi-Agency Community Space), 150 Main Street, Cambridge
HART Hub Waterloo RegionSupport for substance use, mental health, and housing across Waterloo Region. Call 519-745-4404 extension 213. |
Kitchener |
Ray of Hope Community Centre, 659 King Street East, Kitchener
St. John's Kitchen Drop-in Centre, 23 Water Street North, Kitchener
SJK Drop-in Centre, 87 Victoria Street North, Kitchener
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Food help and meals
If you or your household needs emergency food help, needs more information about how to get food, or needs a food hamper delivered, the Food Bank of Waterloo Region can help.
Call the Food Bank's Centralized Food Assistance Outreach line at 519-743-5576 extension 340. The phone line is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and closed on holidays and weekends. If you leave a message, they’ll get back to you within one business day.
Find emergency food help or a meal
Outreach services
Street Outreach workers connect with individuals experiencing homelessness to provide support needs, assist with housing plans, and refer to other resources.
- Kitchener/Waterloo Street Outreach (The Working Centre): Call 519-577-2095 or 519-503-8926
- Cambridge Street Outreach (ACCKWA and Sanguen Health): Call 519-778-2952 or 519-778-4677
- Youth Street Outreach (oneROOF): Call 519-505-6623 or 519-496-8788
- Region of Waterloo Unsheltered Support Program (Region of Waterloo): Email outreach@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400
Welcome Spaces
The Region of Waterloo offers in-person support at three Welcome Space locations for people who need to access certain Community Services programs, such as Ontario Works, Child Care Subsidy, Employment Support and Housing Services. Learn more about Welcome Spaces.
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