Emergency shelter for women and gender-diverse people opening in Cambridge Monday

The exterior of a building on Grand Avenue South that will serve as an emergency shelter for woman and gender-diverse people in Cambridge is seen on Feb. 21, 2025. (Colton Wiens/CTV News)

A 20-bed emergency shelter for women and gender-diverse people will open in Cambridge soon.

In an update on Tuesday, the Region of Waterloo said the shelter at Grace Bible Church on Grand Avenue South will open on Feb. 24.

“Here, women and gender-diverse people can get supports and services that help them move ahead on their housing journey,” Regional Chair Karen Redman said in a statement. “We know there is much still to do, but the Region of Waterloo will continue working alongside community partners to improve how we shelter and support people experiencing homelessness.”

The shelter will be run by YWCA Cambridge on a 24/7 basis. They have also teamed up with other community partners to offer other supports, such as mental and physical health services.

“There is a strong and vibrant network of social services in Cambridge, but a women’s emergency homeless shelter has been sorely lacking for too long. This is a good news story we could all use right now,” YWCA Cambridge CEO Kim Decker said.

The new Cambridge shelter is temporary. The YWCA hopes to secure a long-term site in the future.