New emergency shelter in Kitchener to open at the former Schwaben Club Thursday

A new emergency shelter will open at the former Schwaben Club in Kitchener on Thursday.

It will replace the emergency shelter currently operating at the formerEdith MacIntosh Child Care Centre, which is set to close after Wednesday night.

The new shelter located at1668 King St. E.will continue to be runbyThe Working Centre and will have space for up to 70 peoplefrom 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., seven days a week during the "first few months" ofthefirstphase of operations, the region said in a release.

"In selecting the location, we considered the feasibility of activating the site quickly to provide urgent response, its proximity to public transportation, the availability of support services and the viability from a service provider perspective,"Kelly-Anne Salerno, assistant director of housing operations and administration, said in a release.

The new shelter will also be inclusive, the region said, to supportall gender identities, couples and pets.

During phase two, the goal is for the shelter to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a weekwith increased capacity for a period of 18 to24 months.

New shelter part of interim housing solutions

A point-in-time count in September 2021 showedthere were more than 1,000 people currently experiencing homelessness across the region and about450 people experiencing chronic homelessness.

The new emergency shelter is part of the region's interim housing solutionsstrategy that was approved by council in Augustin an effort to addressunsheltered homelessness in the region.

The region will also be asking for community feedback onitshomelessness master plan that will look tolonger-term solutions toprevent and end homelessness.

Peter Sweeney, commissioner of community services for the region, said in the press release that any future plans will require "thesupport and understanding of the broader community."

"We will be asking the community to be active participants in the public consultation that will take place as part of the development of the homelessness master plan in early 2023," Sweeney said.

He said anyone withquestions or feedback about the new shelter can reach out to the region.