House of Friendship, local community celebrate opening of new ShelterCare

It took years of planning, development, and construction but a new shelter had its grand opening Thursday in Waterloo. 

House of Friendship's ShelterCare program is located on 190 Weber Street North at the site of a former hotel. 

It includes not only shelter space, but around the clock onsite staff, as well as onsite health and housing supports. 

Jessica Bondy is the director of housing services at House of Friendship. She explained the concept further. 

“Having the opportunity for our primary care services to happen onsite as well as other allied health professionals whether it's occupational therapy or physical therapy,” Bondy said. “Having those services and support right onsite for people who are struggling with homelessness goes an incredibly long way to helping them improve.”

The site was designed with the thought of making the space as accessible, and safe as possible. There are 13 bedrooms on the ground floor that are fully accessible. As well, individuals will be able store their belongings securely .

The goal is for 100 men to move into the facility with the first 26 expected to move in by the end of January. 

All levels of government were involved in the funding for the project and several government leaders were on hand and spoke about the importance of working together. 

The Ontario government provided over $10 million in funding, and Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris was among the many people deeply involved in the project.

“This has been a labour of love for many people for the best two to three years,” said Harris. “Having conversations about this pre-pandemic and then things got magnified through the pandemic with our vulnerable community, our homeless community here in the region.”

At the facility, residents will be supported in finding permanent housing, although there is no limit to how long someone can stay.

“By looking at the social determinants of health for people who are experiencing homelessness and embedding them into one space and place, we're hoping this is a place of healing and hope,” Bondy said. 

John Neufeld is the executive director at House of Friendship, and thanked everyone who was in attendance for not giving up through difficult times, and making the ShelterCare a reality.

“The reason all of us are here today is because we never forgot the why,” he said.