The YWCA’s women’s emergency shelter in Cambridge has been operating at full capacity since its opening earlier this year, consistently turning away women in need. With just 20 beds, the shelter is currently the only 24/7 emergency shelter for women in Waterloo region, and staff have had to reject over 77 service requests in the past two months. Women who cannot access a bed are often referred to a Kitchener shelter, but it has limited hours and resources, failing to meet the growing demand.
YWCA CEO Kim Decker noted the emotional toll on staff, who experience vicarious trauma from turning people away. Many women prefer the YWCA shelter over co-ed spaces due to safety concerns, as 74% of homeless women experience gender-based violence weekly.
Councillor Doug Craig expressed surprise at the high demand, emphasizing that additional funding from federal and provincial governments is essential. Another women’s shelter in Kitchener will expand to 66 spaces by fall, increasing its capacity.
Since its opening, the YWCA shelter has helped five women transition to permanent housing, providing essential supports like mental health services and primary health care. The YWCA is calling for more gender-specific shelters and a permanent space for its services.
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