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Emergency shelters

Niagara Region funds housing-focused emergency shelters to provide temporary support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness while they find suitable housing. These shelters are designed for those who are without another safe and suitable place to stay.

The goal is to have the experience with homelessness be as short as possible and not happen again.

If you're at risk of losing your housing

Call 211 to connect with a homelessness prevention agency.

Prevention services can help you avoid losing your home through rent support, mediation and other assistance.

If you're homeless and need shelter

Call 211 to connect with a local shelter.

The helpline is available 24/7 and will help match you with an appropriate shelter based on your needs.

If shelters are full

Ask 211 to connect you with Niagara Assertive Street Outreach.

This is specialized support for when shelter beds aren't available. They can help with immediate needs and alternatives.

Shelters in Niagara

All shelters provide temporary support while you work toward permanent housing. To access any shelter, call 211.

Riordon Street Shelter
29 Riordon St.
St. Catharines
289-673-5634
Room type: Single and double bedrooms with shared common space

Southridge Shelter
201 Glenridge Ave.
St. Catharines
905-682-2477
Room type: Shared bedrooms with shared common space

Summer Street Shelter
5925 Summer St.
Niagara Falls
289-673-5742
Room type: Shared bedrooms with shared common space

The Hope Centre
Welland
905-788-0744
Room type: Private bedrooms

YWCA Niagara Region
176 Oakdale Ave.
St. Catharines
289-686-0927
Room type: Private apartments

Salvation Army Booth Centre
184 Church St.
St. Catharines
905-684-7813
Room type: Shared bedrooms with shared common space

YWCA Niagara Region
6135 Culp St., Niagara Falls
183 King St. St. Catharines
905-988-3528
Room type: Shared bedrooms with shared common space

The RAFT
17 Centre St.
St. Catharines
905-984-4365
Room type: Shared bedrooms with shared common space

About our shelters

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Housing-focused

Prioritizes housing goals with:

  • Application assistance
  • Dedicated casemanagers
  • Housing search support
  • Move-in coordination
Three people standing next to each other

Low-barrier access

Easier access to a shelter means:

  • Couples and families accepted
  • Inclusive for all genders
  • No identification needed
  • Overnight and daytime access
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Onsite services

Services and staffing that offer:

  • 24/7 support
  • All meals
  • Health, mental health and addictions support and referrals
  • Income assistance
  • Life skills programs
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Safety

A safe, secure environment that includes:

  • Privacy fence
  • Security cameras
  • Shelter policies
  • Trained staff

Safety

Safety is a top priority. Policies, procedures and practices are set up to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone at the shelter.

There is zero tolerance for:

  • Arson or drug dealing
  • Excessive damage to property
  • Sexual harassment or sexual violence
  • Theft
  • Violence or threats of violence

Community concerns

The Ontario Human Rights Code doesn't allow people to choose who lives in their neighbourhood, and research has demonstrated that shelters and other social infrastructure will not impact property values.

To support the shelter and be a good neighbour, we'll provide contact information for community members to address concerns and work together on solutions and improvements.