Cambridge temporary emergency shelter set to open at Super 8 hotel

The region is opening a new temporary overflow shelter at the Super 8 hotel on Hespeler Road in Cambridge on Monday.

The emergency space will provide an extra 30 spaces for people who are experiencing homelessness and who need accommodations, particularly as the cold weather approaches.

The site was chosen after consultation between the region, City of Cambridge staff and the Cambridge Shelter Corporation.

"The fully-staffed site will be open 24/7, will enable physical distancing and will provide participants with medical support, food and other basic necessities. Cambridge Shelter staff will work with participants to find permanent housing," the region said in a release.

People moved into permanent housing

The region noted since March, more than 80 people have moved from being homeless into permanent housing "through the support and efforts of the Cambridge Shelter Corporation." On a regional level, more than150 people have moved from shelters into permanent housing.

The region says it and the shelter corporation will work with the city and stakeholders to make sure the temporary emergency shelter at the Super 8 "integrates well with the surrounding neighbourhood."

This winter, the region is focusing on using dorm-style shelter for people who need it, although the traditional emergency shelter where people sleep in one large room will also be offered in Kitchener.

The two other emergency shelters for the upcoming winter include one operating out of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Kitchener by the YWCAand The Working Centre in Kitchenerwill operate one out of the Waterloo Co-operative Residence's Hammar building on University Avenue in Waterloo.

The region is looking at options to create affordable housing in the future, which may include building tiny homes for people.

This week, the region wasallocated $8.2 million under the federal government's newRapid Housing Initiative, with that money earmarked to build affordable housing units.