Region of Waterloo buys emergency shelter in downtown Kitchener
Emergency shelter supports will continue in downtown Kitchener as the Region of Waterloo has agreed to buy a YW Kitchener-Waterloo property.
The Region of Waterloo approved the purchase of 84 Frederick St., across the street from the Waterloo Region Courthouse. Currently, the building operates as a shelter for women and non-binary people.
YW Kitchener-Waterloo owns the building and the deal is expected to be finalized as of July 1.
“The purchase of 84 Frederick Street ensures we maintain flexibility in responding to the need for increased housing supports across the board. This is an investment in our future,” Regional Chair Karen Redman said in a press release.
The region plans to continue operating the facility as a shelter.
YW Kitchener-Waterloo said they were approached by the region as they began to explore plans to sell the building as part of their plans to revamp some of their services.
“We decided to sell the building. Our community partners, the Region of Waterloo, reached out and they asked us if we would be interested in selling to them so that we could keep this property in the public space. It was something we were very interested in exploring, and we’re really thrilled that it’s worked out,” CEO of YW Kitchener-Waterloo Jennifer Breaton said in an interview on Friday.
The YW shelter will officially close on June 27. In the meantime, the organization is trying to connect shelter users with other living arrangements and supports.
YW will continue looking at new ways to offer support to people in need.
“Over the past year we’ve been working with women that we supported at the shelter, and I would say perhaps as importantly, women who have not accessed our shelter, to help design what new services look like. They’re going to include wrap-around supports, they’re going to included probably two or three distinct sites that are much smaller in nature,” Breaton said.
As they prepare to close this chapter, Breaton reflected on the long history of the building.
“The YW Emergency Shelter has been operating as a shelter in some capacity since 1908. It’s been an incredible pillar in our community. Many people have had experiences with our shelter over the years. So it’s a monumental building.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.