A new facility in downtown Kitchener, part of the Making Home project, aims to offer relief to those experiencing homelessness. Located at 97 Victoria Street North, the project is run by The Working Centre, a non-profit focused on assisting people with unemployment and homelessness. The building includes 44 living spaces, a medical centre, and a community kitchen, designed to serve up to 500 meals a day.
The new facility replaces The Working Centre’s previous location at The Church of St. John the Evangelist. It is more modern, with a ground-floor kitchen and improved accessibility, including an elevator to upper floors. The facility offers a welcoming space for people in need, particularly those at risk of homelessness.
The project, which cost $22 million, received over $12 million from regional, federal, and provincial grants, with additional funding from over 300 contributors. Local leaders, including Region of Waterloo Chair Karen Redman, praised the facility’s accessibility features, ensuring it accommodates individuals with disabilities or medical conditions. The project is hailed as a compassionate response to homelessness, offering respect, dignity, and care to vulnerable individuals in the community. Over 800 visitors toured the facility during its open house.
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