New daytime drop-in space opening in Guelph for people experiencing homelessness

People in Guelph facing homelessness will soon have a new place to go during the day.

The city is partnering with local shelters Stepping Stone and Royal City Mission to open a daytime drop-in space on Jan. 12, providing access to food and washrooms.

"This is a brand new service that city council is stepping into, it's definitely something that we felt was a need," said Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.

The new space is backed by a new two-year city funding commitment of $850,000 annually and is intended to address a long-standing gap in daytime supports for people experiencing homelessness.

"People would be staying overnight in an emergency type of shelter space. But then when they left those places, there would maybe be nowhere for them to go," said Guthrie.

Guthrie adds that the new space will connect the most vulnerable to health care and housing supports. He says he hopes it will become known in the community as a place where be people go when in need.

"There is an important role here about finding a professional, safe, trustworthy space that can become known to people," he said. "That kind of a space is really essential so that people can get the type of help that they need."

The city has reached a tentative agreement with Stepping Stone to lead the program, pending final contract approval. While renovations are underway at Stepping Stone's shelter on Gordon Street, Royal City Mission will host the drop-in space from January through the end of March. The space is expected to move to Stepping Stone in April.

Stepping Stone executive director Gail Hoekstra says the new funding from the city will allow them to expand their support for people in need.

“Stepping Stone is proud to lead this important program, and we want to thank the City of Guelph for this new investment that makes this work possible," she said. “Our goal is to provide a trauma-informed, low-barrier space that meets immediate needs while also supporting long-term housing success and community connection."

Guthrie emphasized that the new space is just one part of a broader and increasingly costly response to homelessness.

"Not only are we doing $850,000 towards this new daytime space, but we're also having to take on $877,000 for a winter response program for people that are in encampments," he said.

He adds that the financial burden of responding to homelessness has steadily shifted onto municipalities across Ontario, with costs continuing to climb.

"That's why every mayor and council across the province continues to ask upper levels of government for help," Guthrie said. "Most of these issues come back to mental health and addiction, which is a health-care issue and health care is under the jurisdiction of the province."