As our community faces extreme cold temperatures this week, the City of Windsor has increased capacity at local emergency shelters to ensure that anyone experiencing homelessness in Windsor and Essex County can access a warm place to sleep.

Twenty-four additional shelter beds were added in the past couple of weeks, bringing totals up to 221 beds and rooms for men, women, couples, families, and their pets. There are also 100 overnight drop-in spaces to accommodate people who cannot access a shelter bed.

A full list of emergency shelters and overnight drop-in programs in Windsor and Essex County is provided below.

Welcome Centre Shelter for Women

Emergency shelter for single women and families
Pet friendly
500 Tuscarora Street, Windsor
Phone: (519) 971-7595

Downtown Mission

Emergency shelter and overnight drop-in program for single men and single women
875 Ouellette Avenue, Windsor
Phone: (519) 973-5573

Salvation Army

Emergency shelter for single men and couples
Pet friendly
355 Church Street, Windsor
Phone: (519) 253-7474

Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4)

Drop-in program for people experiencing homelessness, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Pet friendly
400 Wyandotte Street East, Windsor
Phone: 519-253-3806

Essex County Homelessness Hub (ECH2) and Shelter Program

Emergency shelter and drop-in program (daytime and overnight) for people experiencing homelessness
215 Talbot Street East, Leamington
Phone: 519-326-8629, ext. 395

The City will continue to monitor emergency shelter and drop-in data daily and will make further adjustments as needed to best meet the evolving needs in our community.

211 Can Help!

The 211 helpline can refer people to places to stay warm as well as community services and programs that can offer assistance. Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 150 languages.

When to Call 911

Being outdoors for prolonged periods of time during extreme cold can lead to frostbite or hypothermia, which constitute a medical emergency. If you are concerned about someone who is living outdoors during extreme cold days, call 911 immediately.

For tips on how to stay safe during extreme cold weather, please click here to visit the Cold-related Injury or Stay Warm: Beat the Chill pages from the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit.