Emergency and Violence Against Women Shelters & Drop-in Programs

Call for Applications: Emergency Shelter Programs

The City of Hamilton's Housing Services Division is inviting eligible organizations to apply to deliver emergency shelter services that address the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Hamilton.

This Call for Applications (CFA) builds on the City's ongoing efforts, in partnership with community service providers, to expand emergency shelter capacity in response to urgent community needs. While temporary measures have helped address immediate demand, there is an ongoing need for sustainable emergency shelter options that support individuals, couples, and families with a range of needs.

Funding Opportunities

Applications are being accepted for the following two emergency shelter programs:

Emergency Shelter Spaces for Families Experiencing Homelessness
Low-Barrier, All-Gender Emergency Shelter for Adults and Couples

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants are incorporated not-for-profit organizations or registered charities.

Preference will be given to organizations that can demonstrate:

Experience delivering emergency shelter or homelessness-related programs and services, particularly for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and those with complex or co-occurring needs.
Innovative, evidence-based approaches that support adults and couples experiencing homelessness and help connect people to permanent housing.

How to Apply

Organizations interested in applying can request the application package by emailing the Housing Services Division Homelessness Policy and Programs team at [email protected].

Important Dates

Description	Timing
CFA Issued	August 19, 2026
Deadline for Questions	4 pm on September 11, 2026
Deadline for Submissions	11:59 PM EST on September 28, 2026

Questions

Questions about the Call for Applications may be submitted until 4 pm (EST) on September 11, 2026. To request the application package or submit questions, email [email protected].

Review the available

Emergency Shelters & Drop-ins

Emergency & Violence Against Women Shelters

Drop-in Programs

Emergency Shelters offer people experiencing homelessness temporary accommodation, access to basic necessities, as well as supports both onsite and in the community to meet immediate and longer-term needs related to overall health,
wellbeing, and the ability to acquire housing. Violence Against Women (VAW) emergency shelters offer additional supports for individuals who have experienced violence and their dependents.

For additional information related to services offered, programs can be reached using the contact information provided below.

Emergency Shelters for Women and Gender Diverse Individuals

Good Shepherd Mary's Place
Address: 20 Pearl Street N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2Y8
Call: 905-523-6277 Crisis line
Call: 905-540-8000 Business line

Good Shepherd West Avenue Shelter
Address: 46 West Avenue S, Hamilton, ON L8N 2S1
Call: 905-528-5877 ext.4331

Mission Services Emma’s Place
Address: 196 Wentworth Street N, Hamilton, ON L8L 5V7
Call: 905-528-5100 ext. 1200

Womankind Emergency Shelter
Address: 431 Whitney Avenue, Hamilton, ON L8S 2H6
Call: 905-545-9100

YWCA Hamilton 24/7 Shelter
Address: 75 MacNab Street S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3C1
Call: 365-384-3406

Emergency Shelters for Men and Gender Diverse Individuals

Emergency Shelter for Youth

Good Shepherd Notre Dame House
Address: 14 Cannon Street W, Hamilton, ON L8R 2B2
Call: 905-308-8090

Emergency Shelter for Families

Good Shepherd Family Centre
Address: 143 Wentworth Street South, Hamilton, ON L8N 2Z1
Call 905-528-9442

Violence Against Women (VAW) Shelters

Temporary Accommodation and Support Programs for Refugee Claimants and People Seeking Asylum

The City has partnered with Good Shepherd, Wesley Newcomer Services, and REFUGE Newcomer Health to provide temporary accommodation and supports for Refugee Claimants and people seeking asylum. Referrals to the program are reviewed by REFUGE Newcomer Health and are open to individuals currently residing in an emergency shelter within Hamilton.

Please contact the Systems Navigation Team at REFUGE Newcomer Health to determine eligibility and connect to available supports at [email protected].

Wesley Special Care Unit

Temporary accommodation and personalized supports for individuals interested in assistance managing their substance use.

Please contact the Special Care Unit to determine eligibility and connect to available supports at [email protected]

Drop-in programs provide a flexible range of services to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, such as access to food, showers, and other basic necessities, safer places to rest, housing support, healthcare, harm reduction supplies, social and recreation activities, and connections to available supports and services in the community.

For additional information related to services offered, programs can be reached using the contact information provided below.

Cathedral Café
Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm
Address: 252 James Street N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L3
Call: 905-523-5546 ext. 232

Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
Indigenous-led drop-in program
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm
Address: 407 King Street W, Hamilton, ON L8P 1B5
Email: [email protected]

Living Rock Ministries
Drop-in program for youth
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 1 pm to 8 pm
Address: 30 Wilson Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1C5
Call: 905-528-7625

Mission Services Willow’s Place
Drop-in program for women and gender diverse individuals
Hours of operation: 9 am to 9 pm, 7 days a week
Address: 196 Wentworth Street N, Hamilton, ON L8L 5V7
Call: 905-528-5100 ext. 1200

YWCA Carole Anne's Place (CAP)
Drop-in program for women and gender diverse individuals
Hours of operation: 10 pm to 1 pm, 7 days a week
Address: 75 MacNab Street S, Hamilton, ON L8P 3C1
Call: 905-517-9326

Additional Resources

Service Restriction Policy for Emergency Shelters (PDF, 169.83 KB)Hamilton's Emergency Shelter Standards (PDF, 3.95 MB)

Date modified

August 19, 2026