Women's Shelter

York Region has a shortage of emergency beds and transitional housing supports for people that find themselves in a housing crisis. While the number of beds has increased over the past few years for families and young people, there are a growing number of single women across York Region who are experiencing significant hardship due to the lack of emergency shelter and supports when they are facing a housing crisis. The waiting list for rent geared to income housing for single people is over 20 years.

In 2005, representatives from organizations affiliated with YRAEH came together as a Women’s Shelter Sub-Committee to mobilize around the lack of supports for single women in York Region. 

 

In 2007, YRAEH published “Hidden from Sight” a needs assessment report highlighting the fact that homeless single women in York Region continued to lack access to emergency shelter. The only emergency shelter beds available were through winter programs operating from November – March provided through Inn From the Cold in Newmarket and MOSAIC Interfaith Out of the Cold in Thornhill.

 

In 2008 Blue Door Shelters took a leadership role in the development of an emergency shelter for women with funding support from York Region’s Community Development Investment Fund. 

 

In 2009 a Women’s Shelter Community Team is working as an advisory body to Blue Door Shelters to help shape the development of a women’s shelter in York Region by providing input, feedback and analysis of the future shelter’s service planning, community relations and fundraising opportunities which will make a shelter for women in York Region possible.

 

Members of the Community Team include community leaders and community stakeholders in York Region including members of York Region Alliance to End Homelessness. The Honorary Chairperson of the Community Team is Belinda Stronach.