There are no homeless shelters for women in Waterloo region. A coalition of activists wants to change that

A coalition of regional advocates are calling on various levels of government to provide shelter spaces exclusively for women and gender diverse people since there aren't any in the Region of Waterloo.

Sanguen Health Centre sent out an open letter on Wednesday that emphasized the need for women's shelters, especially in Cambridge, explaining that "this scarcity forces women into dangerous and untenable situations, further exacerbating their vulnerability and suffering."

They're asking the region for "immediate green lighting of gender-specific shelters," while asking various levels of government that "unoccupied land and buildings ... be made available for non-profit organizations to provide shelter, housing, and essential services to women experiencing homelessness."

Erin Dej, an associate professor of criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University, who has researched issues around homelessness for 15 years, is one of the cosigners of the letter.

"This came about really organically because a group of people were noticing the crisis level of women's homelessness in Cambridge and in the region, and really struggling with the lack of urgency and the lack of action around women and gender diverse people's homelessness," she said.

"It really came from a moment of distress and very deep concern about women who are homeless right now and what's going to happen to them."

Erin Dej, an associate professor of criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University, who has researched issues around homelessness for 15 years is one of the coalition members. (Submitted by Erin Dej)

According to a regional spokesperson there are 1,085 people experiencing homelessness locally as of Sept. 2021 (which is the most recent count), but only 519 beds available — none of which are exclusively for women or gender diverse people.

The last remaining women's shelter, the YW Kitchener-Waterloo, shut earlier this summer. The facility had 66 beds. They are planning to re-open in the former Schwaben Club in Kitchener but no launch date has been released.

Dej said that by having no shelter beds that are exclusively for women, it makes it difficult to count the number of women experiencing homelessness, explaining that "it absolutely underestimates the extent of women's homelessness in the region."

The letter from the coalition also claims that "a data strategy reflecting women's hidden homelessness is essential, ensuring that long-term housing solutions and non-profit infrastructure are adequately supported."

The coalition is made up of more than 24 partners, including academics and organizations like the Cambridge Food Bank, Coalition of Muslim Women KW, and Waterloo Region Community Legal Services to name a few.

Lynsey Slupeiks, a spokesperson for the region says that they are taking action, explaining that they "are continually working with community partners to address the homelessness crisis and ensure comprehensive support for those in need, including through the purchase of 84 Frederick Street in Kitchener."

"The proposed use of 84 Frederick is to serve women and gender diverse individuals, based on the report going to committee next week," Slupeiks said in an email statement.

She added that "the YWCA Cambridge has been actively seeking a location for an emergency shelter for women in Cambridge."

CBC News reached out to the City of Cambridge for comment, but didn't hear back by the time of publication.