FAQs

The Region is using its property at the former Edith MacIntosh Child Care Centre (104 Stirling Avenue South in Kitchener) as an emergency shelter for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. It is anticipated that the shelter will begin operations on Thursday, November 30, 2023.

The number of individuals currently experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region is unprecedented. Similar to many communities across Canada, we are seeing the effects of poverty, mental health issues, rising housing costs and impacts of the opioid crisis, first-hand in Waterloo Region. There is an urgent need for shelter spaces in the community.

The Region conducted an extensive search for potential locations, and based on the urgent need, will use this Regionally-owned space. It is important to have a variety of spaces and options to support a successful and stable shelter system. Using a Regionally-owned and vacant property will contribute to ensuring an adequate number of stable emergency shelter spaces to meet the need at any time.

The shelter will be operated by Services and Housing In the Province (SHIP). SHIP aims to address the issue of homelessness by providing a spectrum of housing options to individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges. The program provides emergency shelter and housing support services to up to 30 individuals in Waterloo Region who are experiencing homelessness. The program currently operates emergency overnight shelter, with case management programming available during the day.

The shelter will begin operating on November 30, 2023. It will provide emergency shelter 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This shelter is available for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. It serves up to 30 individuals. It is open to men and gender diverse adults who are 25 and over. Individuals accessing services will be given a 30-day guarantee of space, and will be supported to find permanent housing. Providing a bed for 30 days eliminates daily line-ups.

SHIP’s approach is to ensure service users stays are short and infrequent. This facility will help to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to safe, temporary accommodations that support their basic needs while they are supported to find and transition to permanent housing. 

During their stay, community members are supported to develop an individualized housing plan that will help them move forward on their journey towards permanent housing. Supports provided by the program include:

• Emergency Shelter Support
• Support finding safe and affordable housing
• Help finding financial support (i.e. first and last month’s rent)
• Support with seeking and securing employment
• Connecting with community agencies
• Emergency Food and Clothing

SHIP staff are in constant conversation with shelter participants to foster respect and care for the neighbourhood and the hosts of the shelter. Security is on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help mitigate challenges and respond to incidents as required. Additionally, Waterloo Regional Police Services are an active partner and will be contacted as needed to address serious occurrences and ensure neighbourhood safety is maintained. The shelter also has shelter staff and caseworkers onsite 24/7.

The Region installed temporary fencing with black screening around the site, to ensure privacy for neighbouring properties and shelter participants.

The model of service supports used at this location differs from previous models, as SHIP provides space for 30 days, ensuring prompt access to the program and into the space. Intake is based on referral through the FirstConnect call centre. Security is on-site 24/7 to monitor the site and respond to needs and issues that emerge. 

Regional and City staff will use a coordinated approach in responding to the needs and issues related to individuals living rough or experiencing homelessness. Enforcement will only occur after all reasonable support efforts have been attempted without success and with reasonable advance notice of the requirement to vacate a public space. In exceptional circumstances, however, more immediate intervention may be required to address public safety concerns. 

Tents and encampments will not be permitted around this shelter site. Staff will connect people to shelter and/or outreach services. For concerns about unsheltered homelessness, tents, or encampments: 

• Waterloo Regional Police non-emergency line (to request Kitchener By-law enforcement): 519-570-9777
• Region of Waterloo: 519-575-4400 or email RLicensingandRegulatory@regionofwaterloo.ca

• Criminal Behaviour and Emergencies - If you see any behaviour on-site or near the shelter that involves active criminal behaviour (e.g. violence, fire, theft, weapon present, indecency, property damage, etc.) or constitutes a medical emergency (such as a suspected overdose), please call 9-1-1 and ask for immediate assistance. 
• Wellbeing or Non-Criminal Behaviour - If you are concerned about someone’s wellbeing or behaviour, but do not think it’s an active emergency, you may call Waterloo Regional Police at their non-emergency number to request support: 519-570-9777
• Debris and Garbage:
  1. For large debris or garbage found near the shelter, please call Region of Waterloo: 519-575-4400
  2. For smaller debris or garbage on city property, please call City of Kitchener: 519-741-2345
• Needles – If you find a needle, please call Region of Waterloo – 519-575-4400

• Noise – Please call Waterloo Regional Police at their non-emergency number to request By-law Enforcement at 519-570-9777
• Aggressive panhandling – Please call Waterloo Regional Police at their non-emergency number to request support 519-570-9777
• Edith MacIntosh on-site contact: 548-288-4206, ext. 4040

The Region is collaborating with the Working to Improve Neighbourhood Safety (WINS) program and the contracted Security staff to perform continuous sweeps of the school property. Both the hours of security and perimeter of patrol have expanded to a broader area of the Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute (CHCI) property and neighbourhood. Anyone who finds a sharp or needle, can call the Region at 519-575-4400.

Outreach has been conducted to the schools and community organizations in the area. Neighbouring residents and businesses have been contacted directly with a notification letter delivered to their door. The Region has notified community organizations, recreation facilities and churches in the area and the school board has communicated with students and parents/guardians.

Support networks and partnerships are essential to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the shelter system.  SHIP has a good Neighbour Strategy and will work to develop and maintain a respectful and responsive relationship with the neighbourhood.

SHIP encourages feedback from neighbours about any of our programs, services or responsibility.  Formal concerns can be made through: https://shipshey.ca/feedback/ 

Many communities in Ontario and across Canada have also been experiencing an increase in chronic homelessness. It is a complex issue and is due to many factors including: 

• Inadequate social assistance rates 
• Housing affordability crisis 
• Rental vacancies crisis 
• Increasingly complex needs of individuals – severe mental health, physical health, substance use disorders 
• COVID-19 pandemic impacts on employment, access to health care and mental health care, housing affordability 
• Systemic oppression impacting those identifying as African, Black, Indigenous and racialized. 

Solutions to this crisis require additional supports from the Provincial and Federal Governments. As well, it needs a community-focused and led approach to include solutions that address the root causes of homelessness. 

The Region continues to play a leadership role bringing together partners from various systems to work on this very complex issue. 

You can visit our dedicated Edith MacIntosh Emergency Shelter information page on Engage Waterloo Region at www.engagewr.ca.

If you would like to speak to the Region of Waterloo about housing and homelessness, please call (519-575-4400, ext. 5008)