Kitchener shelter hosts return of ‘Out of the Cold’ program, serving women and gender-diverse people

This winter, the Region of Waterloo is teaming up with a non-profit to offer shelter and a transition to permanent housing, for women and gender-diverse people.

Since spring, that demographic has lacked a shelter designated to support their needs. Through the re-introduction of the Out of the Cold program, women and gender-diverse people will have access to the specific recourses they need.

“Women’s experience of homelessness is different, unique, and it needs unique and dedicated spaces, services, and programs,” said Chris McEvoy, the manager of homelessness and supportive housing at the Region of Waterloo. “We want to ensure that women feel safe in women-only spaces, and gender-diverse individuals feel safe in the shelter services that they need.”

The program, which was at one time volunteer-based, will now be run by non-profit organization Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP).

The emergency shelter will be located at 84 Fredrick St. in downtown Kitchener, a building the Region of Waterloo purchased earlier this year.

“We need to have dedicated spaces for women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness to be supported in temporary accommodations, and be supported in housing plans,” said McEvoy. “The intent of the purchase of the building was to stabilize women’s shelter spaces in the community.”

The space will first operate as an overnight shelter with 37 beds and will expand to offer more support when renovations are completed in December.

The shelter, and it’s uses, are in line with the Region of Waterloo’s Plan to End Chronic Homelessness by 2030.

“The region is investing in permanent and supportive housing which is the answer to experiences of homelessness,” said McEvoy. “We’re excited to be working with our co-creator and other partners.”

The shelter comes at an opportune time, as the first signs of winter are set to be felt around Waterloo Region starting on Wednesday.

570’s Meteorologist Jill Taylor expects temperatures to around 1 C over Wednesday night, with rain and snow early in the morning on Thursday.