Poverty Elimination Task Force releases warm-up locations for homeless

WELLINGTON COUNTY – The Guelph and Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination is working with a number of local organizations to develop Community Cold Weather Response Plans for individuals experiencing homelessness in Guelph and Wellington County.

Those organizations include the County of Wellington, The City of Guelph, Stepping Stone, Wyndham House, Royal City Mission, Guelph Public Libraries, Hope House, Chalmers Centre, The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, Guelph Police Service and Wellington County OPP.

These plans outline a protocol for the 2022/2023 cold weather season to support individuals experiencing homelessness to access and get to emergency shelters and warm-up locations in periods of cold weather.

If you are experiencing homelessness and would like to access shelter:

  • if you are an adult (25 years+) or a family, call: 226-821-3345;
  • if you are a youth (16-24 years), call: 519-837-3892.

If you see someone unsheltered outdoors in need of assistance (not an emergency), call: 

  • HERE 24/7: 1-844-437-3247; or
  • Wellington County OPP non-emergency line: 1-888-310-1122.

If it is an emergency situation call 911.

The Wellington County Community Cold Weather Response Plan is not triggered by a specific temperature.

Partners and community members are encouraged to use their judgement about the temperature and weather conditions, as well as the safety and wellbeing of individuals.