1 year after opening and Cambridge women’s shelter still at capacity

It’s approaching the one-year opening anniversary of the lone women-only homeless shelter in Cambridge.

Since it opened its doors in February 2025, the 20-bed facility, operated by YWCA Cambridge, has been at capacity. Staff have routinely made the heartbreaking decision to turn people away.

It was in 2024 that the YWCA Cambridge reached an agreement with Grace Bible Church in Galt to host the facility temporarily. Since then, the YWCA has been actively searching for a permanent home, but those efforts have come up short so far.

Kim Decker, YWCA Cambridge CEO, told 570 NewsRadio, operating the shelter has been a learning experience, and it’s giving them a better understanding of the homeless crisis.

“When we first opened the shelter, we weren’t really clear on what was the actual number of women experiencing homelessness in our community. I think, given the number of requests for service, the fact that there is a shelter now, we’re just beginning to see the true numbers of what homelessness or women’s homelessness looks like in our community.”

She said there is one aspect in particular they were not anticipating.

“On Dec. 17, 65 per cent of the women in the shelter were over 50 and 17 per cent of those women were over 65. So, we are seeing a significant number of older women who are experiencing homelessness for the first time in their lives.”

Decker spoke about the challenges facing older women experiencing homelessness, particularly when it comes to housing. She mentioned issues with finding accessible housing for older women with mobility issues and the long waitlist for long-term care.

However, the quest for adequate support for women experiencing homelessness will get a boost next winter when a women-only warming center will open in Cambridge.

Regional councillor for the city, Pam Wolf, was contacted by the YWCA Cambridge to advocate for funding to support a women-only warming center.

“I brought forward a motion asking for $176,000 out of the 2026 budget and $440,000 to be annualized in the 2027 budget,” Wolf told 570 NewsRadio.

She said council jumped on board.

“I think what really sold the region was the inequity of services we have for women as opposed to men,” she said. “The fact that women’s homelessness is not as visible as men’s has led to the disproportionate number of services we provide for men but don’t provide for women.”

And, Becker says it all comes down to the women’s safety.

“About 70 per cent of women experiencing homelessness also experience gender based violence on a weekly basis. So having the space just increases the number of women we are able to support over the winter.”

With the funding for the warming center secured, work is getting underway to find a location. At the same time, YWCA Cambridge is continuing its effort to find a permanent location for the overnight shelter.