Supportive Housing of Waterloo hosts Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser

Hundreds of walkers are expected to brace the cold on Saturday as part of the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser.

Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) will be hosting the event at First United Church at 12 William St. W. in Waterloo. It will feature 2 km and 5km walking options with a local fundraising goal set for $84,000.

The event runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Brian Paul, the Executive Director of SHOW said the funds will go into helping programs such as food security, income support, counselling and onsite health care that the organization offers.

“We see it as a great opportunity to highlight a need and advocate for those who need it,” said Paul. “But it also acknowledges the support that we get and garner from the community because it really gives us wind in our sails to do the hard and grinding work we do day in and day out.”

Several local dignitaries are expected to be there, including Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe, Waterloo Region Police Chief Mark Crowell, Waterloo MP Bardish Chagger, MPP NDP candidate Catherine Fife and Ward 7 Councillor Julie Wright.

Saturday’s event will also be hosted by 570 NewsRadio’s own Mike Farwell.

A snapshot of homelessness

This event comes after a tumultuous few months in the region, as discussions of homelessness and the housing crisis have captured many people’s attentions.

Data out in November from the Region of Waterloo Housing Services shows 2,371 individuals are currently experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region: More than double the count from the last survey completed in 2021.

The latest results show a 119 per cent increase in homelessness over the past three years.

Months later, a report by the Association of Ontario Municipalities shows that 81,515 Ontarians experienced known homelessness in 2024. That’s a 25 per cent jump since 2022.

To make matters worse, most advocates and experts agree that number is likely higher.

The report also shows that if left unchecked, the unhoused population could more than triple to over 294,000 people by 2035 — nearly the population of Windsor, Ont.

The fundraiser in the region this Saturday aims to showcase the gruelling temperatures many unhoused people face on a daily basis during the winter. It can also build compassion for attendees and foster an understanding of the difficulties people experiencing homelessness endure.