Outdoor Shelter

Background about this project

The number of people currently experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region is unprecedented, and similar to many communities across Canada, we are living through a crisis.

In response to this crisis, the Region of Waterloo announced that a portion of the Regionally-owned property at 1001 Erb’s Road in Waterloo will operate as the site of a new outdoor shelter. The site will accommodate 50 people currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

The Region is working closely with the Working Centre, the City of Waterloo, the Township of Wilmot and community partners, and expects the outdoor shelter to be up and running by the end of April 2023.

The Region is also actively looking to establish additional outdoor shelter sites in Kitchener and Cambridge to help in our work to end chronic homelessness. Outdoor shelters are an important tool in the Region’s overall strategy to end chronic homelessness and complement other actions by the Region.

Here are some details about what the outdoor shelter will look like and who will oversee operations on-site:

• The site will be staffed 24/7, managed by The Working Centre and will include support services and security.
• Services provided will include mental health and addictions supports, with a strong focus on connecting residents to permanent housing options.
• Fifty individual cabins will provide private, safer and inclusive accommodation for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
• Each cabin measures approximately 107 square feet and will be furnished, and equipped with electricity, heating and cooling.
• A main cabin complex will provide amenities like running water, common space and washrooms, laundry services, heating and electricity.
• The site will have guidelines and expectations and will be managed by The Working Centre.
• Safety and security of the residents, staff and neighbours are of critical importance.

The site will be operated by The Working Centre. For 40 years, The Working Centre has been a creative community organization that has developed a wide array of local initiatives from housing, shelter, employment, food distribution and community enterprises.