Temporary Shelter Operations in Welland
Niagara Region worked with a homeless expert consultant to conduct a shelter capacity review. To better support south Niagara communities, the review determined that Niagara Region should:
- Move away from seasonal shelters and convert these services to all year, full day shelters as a best practice
- Create more shelter space to address the critical lack of shelter spaces in our community
About the shelter
The temporary shelter is for people from across south Niagara experiencing absolute homelessness. Priority will be given to those with a history of living unsheltered.
The Hope Centre will operate the temporary shelter and offer:
- 24/7 staffing to clients
- Up to 50 spaces for adult men, adult women, couples and adult children
- Overnight, indoor accommodations
- Security cameras and privacy fence
- Regular exterior site walkabouts will happen every 15 to 30 minutes to boost safety
A full range of indoor programming is available to support clients in working towards their goals during the day, including:
- Case management
- Income supports
- Health supports
- Mental health and addiction referrals and supports
- Housing supports
- Life skills guidance
Funding
Niagara Regional Council approved the funds for this project.
Welland City Council approved the use of the Ontario Street site. It is zoned for this use and no additional approvals were needed.
The Ontario Human Rights Code does not allow people to choose who lives in their neighbourhood. This facility will support the people who are living outdoors in the surrounding neighbourhoods and will be focused on those who are chronically homeless.
Low barrier shelters
Low barrier shelters aim to make it easier for unhoused people to access safe shelters.
Some may believe these shelters lack safety measures to keep staff and individuals safe. However, safety is a top priority. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure a safe environment, including zero tolerance for:
- Violence or threats of violence
- Sexual harassment or sexual violence
- Theft
- Excessive damage to property
- Arson
- Drug dealing
Housing focused shelters
The emergency shelter system in Niagara operates from a housing focused lens. This means the goal is to make a person's experience with homelessness brief and non-recurring.
People staying in these shelters are expected to work toward finding permanent housing, as shelters are meant to be temporary.
Emergency shelters provide immediate emergency intervention services for the homeless and are essential to moving an individual from homelessness to stable housing.
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