Outdoor Shelter

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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 accommodates 50 people currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

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 the Outdoor Shelter:

  • The site is staffed 24/7, managed by The Working Centre and includes support services and security.
  • Services provided include mental health and addictions supports, with a strong focus on connecting residents to permanent housing options.
  • Fifty 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, heating and electricity.
  • The site has guidelines and expectations managed by The Working Centre.
  • Safety and security of the residents, staff and neighbours are of critical importance.

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 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 accommodates 50 people currently experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

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 the Outdoor Shelter:

  • The site is staffed 24/7, managed by The Working Centre and includes support services and security.
  • Services provided include mental health and addictions supports, with a strong focus on connecting residents to permanent housing options.
  • Fifty 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, heating and electricity.
  • The site has guidelines and expectations managed by The Working Centre.
  • Safety and security of the residents, staff and neighbours are of critical importance.

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.

  • Update on Erb's Road Hybrid Shelter - October 24, 2024

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    We would like to provide an update about the Erb’s Road Hybrid Shelter.

    Thank you to all who attended and provided feedback at the Community Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. In response to the concerns raised, the following changes will be implemented.

    Good Neighbour Policy

    Regional staff and The Working Centre are finalizing a Good Neighbour Policy. This policy will more clearly outline the expectations of shelter participants as community members, explain the actions that will violate this policy (e.g. trespassing, theft from a neighbouring property, etc.) and the resulting consequences.

    Staffing and Neighbourhood Calls

    We are working with The Working Centre to ensure that calls and concerns about people experiencing homelessness in the neighbourhood are responded to quickly by The Working Centre staff. Our goal is to see that individuals in need of support are connected to available emergency shelter sites.

    Mental Health and Substance Use

    We are looking at a revision to the intake process to reduce the number of individuals who have higher complexities and needs (e.g., mental health and substance use challenges).

    Security

    We will increase the presence of security at the site and better communicate our expectations for their role in managing the site. Security staff are intended to provide a safe environment for the residents and staff that are on site at all times and will communicate with WRPS and other emergency services as required.

    Community Engagement

    There will be two regular avenues established for ongoing community engagement.

    First, the current Community Advisory Committee, with representatives from the neighbourhood local businesses, community partners, WRPS and the Region will meet on a monthly basis.

    Second, the Region will organize a quarterly community meeting with neighbours and key partners in attendance. Broader notification of the dates and times of these meetings will occur when they have been scheduled.

    Communication

    We will improve communication with monthly updates posted on the Engage WR page and emailed to the subscriber list, following the monthly community advisory committee meetings.

    Based on the feedback and changes above, some of these updates are already happening. Some changes will occur as soon as possible.

    We will continue to keep you updated. We are committed to finding ways to ensure this is a community where everyone has access to shelter and feels safe in their neighbourhood.

  • One-Year Evaluation and Recommendation Report

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    The Erb’s Road Hybrid Emergency Shelter One-Year Evaluation and Recommendations report will be considered at the Community and Health Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Consideration and discussion at the Committee is part of a two-step process. If approved by the Committee, the report will go onto the Council meeting agenda for final consideration at the Region of Waterloo Council meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

    The Erb’s Road report outlines the findings of the one-year evaluation of the site and provides recommendations for future use and is available as part of the CHS agenda.

    For more information:

    • Watch the live stream or recording of Community and Health Services Committee meeting on the Region’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/@regionofwaterloocouncil
    • Provide your feedback to the Committee via email to regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca.
    • Attend the Committee meeting in person. Committee meetings are held in the Council Chambers at Region of Waterloo, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener. Start time of the meeting is as indicated on the agenda.
    • Information about participating in the meeting as a delegate can be found on the Region of Waterloo website.
  • Public tours - April 2023

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    Site Tour Update - Registration is Full (Update posted Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.)

    Thank you to the 180 people who have registered for tours being held on Tuesday, April 25. Registration is full.

    If you would like to be added to a Waitlist in case of cancellations, please email us at interimhousingsolutions@regionofwaterloo.ca.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Site Tours for General Public - Tuesday, April 25, 2023

    Learn more about the Outdoor Shelter on a 30-minute tour of the site led by representatives of The Working Centre.

    Please register for a tour in the Key Dates section of this webpage. Capacity is limited to ensure sufficient parking for attendees.

  • Construction update - April 14, 2023

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    Work continues at the Outdoor Shelter site on Erb's Road to prepare for a late April opening. Here are a few photographs from the site this week:

    Construction equipment smooths the site at 1001 Erb's Road. Individual cabins are pictured in the background. An interior shot of one of the cabins shows a bed with bedding, desk, chair and mini fridge.


    Aerial shot of the site shows cabins on the site.


  • Community education sessions - January 2023

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    Updated February 1, 2023


    Thank you to all those who attended our in-person and virtual community education sessions held on Thursday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 31.

    The recording of the virtual session is now available. If your question was not answered live in the virtual session, it will be included in updated FAQs.

    Watch for updates on this webpage for future meetings and project updates.

Page last updated: 24 Oct 2024, 01:06 PM