Cold Weather and People Experiencing Homelessness in Ottawa

Ottawa experiences extreme cold throughout the winter. Uncovered skin can freeze in as little as 10 minutes when exposed to wind chill of -35 C or colder.

Shepherds of Good Hope makes every effort to ensure people have a warm place to stay during extreme weather conditions. This includes modifying its check-in/check-out policy at the Transitional Shelter to give people a warm place to stay.

Shepherds also works closely with partnering agencies to ensure everyone has a place to sleep, including accessing the City’s designated shelter overflow beds. This is a collective effort to encourage people to come inside when the weather is extreme.

If you see someone in need of help:

• Call 2-1-1 for information about drop-in centres, community and health resource centres, food banks and community food programs, winter clothing, financial assistance with utilities and a list of Out of the Cold programs.
• Call 3-1-1 to get referred to the best available shelter, or to get assistance for someone who needs transportation to get out of the cold. The City’s 3-1-1 Line is available to respond to calls 24 hours a day. Calls are answered by the City of Ottawa Call Centre on a priority basis and referred to appropriate service providers.
• Call 8-1-1 Health Connect Ontario for non-emergency medical advice.
• Call 9-1-1 for medical emergency assistance such as hypothermia.

If you are experiencing homelessness, or know someone who is, call 3-1-1 to get referred to an available and appropriate overnight shelter.

• Cornerstone: Women’s Shelter
• Salvation Army: Men’s Shelter, 171 George Street
• Shepherds of Good Hope: All Genders, 256 King Edward Avenue
• The Mission: Men’s Shelter, 35 Waller Street
• Youth Services Bureau shelters for youth and young adults
• Bernard Grandmaître Arena, 309 McArthur Road
• Heron Road Community Centre, 1480 Heron Road