Update: Emergency Shelter Beds and Transitional Housing Units Coming to Downtown Guelph

Guelph, Ont.- Last Spring, County staff began working with staff at Stepping Stone and Grinham Architects on the viability of developing 23 Gordon Street in Guelph. The goal has been to increase the number of emergency shelter beds and transitional housing spaces in downtown Guelph.

The 23 Gordon site is a two-storey building owned by Stepping Stone. Stepping Stone currently operates emergency shelter services on the main level and uses the second storey for administration offices. Current zoning at the site allows for developments of between 3 to 6 stories. Engineering studies for the building indicate that the existing structure could support the addition of one storey.

Grinham Architects has worked with Stepping Stone and the County to develop a project that will support the creation of approximately 24 new emergency shelter beds and 12 new transitional housing units - in addition to the existing emergency shelter services currently being provided.

Project Details:

• Construction of the project is estimated at $3.5 million (exclusive of HST, design costs, permit fees, furnishing and equipment).
• Staff have secured capital funding for the project in the amount of $3,941,000 - communication embargos are not permitting staff to announce the sources of funding at this time.

"If experiences of homelessness grow in our community and more shelter space is needed, the floor could be converted from 12 transitional housing spaces into 24 shelter beds," said Warden Andy Lennox. "This critical project would not be possible without the generous funding the County has received. We look forward to publicly recognizing our funding partners at the appropriate time."

"As the Service Delivery Manager for social services in the City of Guelph and the County of Wellington, County staff will be overseeing the construction management of the project from planning to structural completion, and Stepping Stone will maintaining ownership of the property," commented Luisa Artuso, Social Services Administrator.

Transitional housing provides individuals with temporary safe and stable housing as an intermediate step between emergency shelters and permanent housing. Transitional housing is an important part of the housing continuum as it alleviates pressure on the emergency shelter system, helps prevent individuals to return to homelessness, and supports their wellbeing as staff work with them towards obtaining permanent housing.

Transitonal housing can also provide individualized wrap-around support services that could include primary health, mental health, substance use supports, counselling, job training and placement, community actvites, and help with life skills.

The tentative completion date for 23 Gordon St is February 2025.

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Media Contact:
Mark Poste, Director of Housing
T 519.824.7822 x 4040
E [email protected]

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