FAQs

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 is announcing that a portion of the Regionally-owned property at 1001 Erb’s Road will operate as the site of a new outdoor shelter. The site will accommodate 50 people currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Outdoor shelters are an important tool in the Region’s overall strategy to end chronic homelessness and complements other actions by the Region.

The site accommodates up to 50 individuals.

Individual cabins provide private, safer and inclusive accommodation for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Each cabin measures approximately 107 square feet and is furnished and equipped with electricity, heating and cooling.

A main cabin complex provides amenities like running water, common space and washrooms, laundry services and heating/electricity.

The location is staffed 24/7, managed by The Working Centre and includes support services and security.

Safety and security of the occupants, staff, and neighbours are of critical importance.

This outdoor shelter site is used by individuals and couples currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness from across Waterloo Region. 

Yes, couples are accommodated at the outdoor shelter. 

The site welcomes people with pets and has policies in place to ensure the safety of staff, residents, and pets.

This location on Erb’s Road is Regionally-owned, allowing us to get the site up and running as quickly as possible to respond to the unprecedented number of individuals in our community experiencing homelessness.

This is an interim solution, as outlined in the Interim Housing Plan.

The location provides one more option for those experiencing homelessness, in addition to the approximately 500 shelter beds in the housing system.

The Region’s role as government is to provide public services to its residents, and where warranted, has the capacity and authority to do so, in areas where existing zoning may not specifically permit the contemplated use of the lands. In this case, the public service the Region is providing is temporary accommodation, and the Township of Wilmot’s By-Law allows the Region, again where warranted, to take the steps necessary to provide that service, on land and in structures not otherwise specifically zoned for the proposed use. 

Knowing that the Region is placing temporary accommodation in an area not typically zoned for this use, and in proximity to the landfill, staff have done the due diligence in line with the Ministry’s industrial guidelines to confirm there will be no significant impact to future individuals on site from a noise or environmental perspective.  

The site is 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.

The site began operating in late April. 

The site is staffed 24/7, managed by The Working Centre and includes support services and security. 

Services provided include mental health and addiction supports, with a strong focus on connecting residents to permanent housing options.

Food preparation takes place off-site in a regulated commercial kitchen operated by The Working Centre.

Freshly cooked meals are served daily in the food servery setting, within the common building, and include a variety of options to ensure individual needs are met.

Individuals are able to store and consume food brought in from outside in their cabins, and snacks and warm beverages are available in the food servery 24/7.

The Working Centre is operating this shelter and manages the intake process. 

If you need emergency shelter, call FirstConnect at 519-624-9133. For food and housing help, see the Emergency Shelters page of the Region of Waterloo website. 

The Interim Housing Solutions strategy is helping to respond to feedback the Region of Waterloo received from those experiencing homelessness. 

Through a survey of about 100 people experiencing homelessness across the region, most indicated they would be willing to relocate to an interim model such as an outdoor shelter. 

The survey also helped identify the type of services that should be included in the model.

Offers for accommodation at the site are based on a prioritization model developed by Region of Waterloo Housing Services.  

The site is designed for those currently living in encampments, but we will also work to offer accommodation to those living unsheltered elsewhere in the region.  

Transportation to and from the site will be provided by The Working Centre as the operator of the Outdoor Shelter. Transportation services will ensure people on site can access and attend appointments in the surrounding area.

The Region’s Housing Team notified local residents and businesses in the area. 

As part of the Region’s new Interim Housing Solutions strategy, the Region consulted with those with lived experience of homelessness, service providers and community partners. 

The Region issued an expression of interest for the public to come forward with potential locations, in addition to an extensive search that Regional staff undertook for potential sites in collaboration with municipal staff.

As the Region prepares to open this site, we will create partnerships with neighbours and stakeholders to ensure we are having ongoing conversations to respond to any concerns.

We recognize you may have questions or would like the opportunity to provide feedback. Please reach out to the Region of Waterloo Housing Services Team:

• Questions can be submitted via the Q&A section on this site
• Email interimhousingsolutions@regionofwaterloo.ca
• Call 519-575-4400, ext. 5008

Questions about outdoor shelter operations can be directed to The Working Centre: 

• shelter@theworkingcentre.org or by phone at 226-476-1765

We will be conducting extensive public consultation as part of the development of the Region's Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in 2023. The Plan will guide the Region’s work to prevent and end chronic homelessness with longer-term solutions.

Community education sessions were held at the end of January. 

Site tours for the general public have been scheduled for Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Please register for a time in the Key Dates section of this webpage. 

The site will be located on the WRESTRC campus, which is home to Paramedic Services Waste Management, Water Services and a training facility for municipal emergency services.

Environmental consultants have conducted assessments with respect to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Land Use Compatibility Guidelines to assess potential concerns related to the landfill.

This included methane gas testing, inspection of the proposed site, and review of previous environmental noise assessments related to the landfill power plant.

The assessments have been completed. No significant concerns were identified.

In addition, the Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Centre (WRESTRC) campus is home to Paramedic Services, Waste Management, Water Services and a training facility for municipal emergency services, with employees based on the campus seven days a week.

Homes and businesses are also located adjacent to the WRESTRC campus.

Capital costs for the Outdoor Shelter on Erb's Rd shelter were $2.4 million.

Region of Waterloo Council approved costs associated with the Interim Housing Plan in August 2022. 

The Working Centre is operating this shelter. Please contact them directly at shelter@theworkingcentre.org directly regarding donations. .

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, working closely with the local municipalities and bringing together partners from various systems to work on this very complex issue. 

While much more needs to be done, we did make significant progress in 2021:

• 508 people transitioned from homelessness into permanent housing
• 190 households were supported to stay in their homes with rent arrears funding 
• 358 households were supported to secure new homes with rent assistance 
• 2,626 households avoided a shelter stay with support to access housing options through prevention and diversion
• Maintained an end to chronic family homelessness. 

Questions can be submitted via the Q&A section on this site. 

Alternatively, you can email Region of Waterloo Housing Services team at interimhousingsolutions@regionofwaterloo.ca or call the Region’s Housing Services Team at 519-575-4400, ext. 5008.

Questions about outdoor shelter operations can be directed to The Working Centre at shelter@theworkingcentre.org or by phone at 226-476-1765.