There are four year-round shelters and four winter shelters servicing the region:
Year-Round Shelters (Open Every Day)
Details
Location
Contact
Hours
Bus Route
Women and Men - Emergency Response Centre - The shelter is by referral only. Please call for more information
Limited shelter space available for vulnerable men and women who are medically compromised.
Nanaimo
778-441-4227
24 hours
Men - The Salvation Army, New Hope Centre
Shelter is behaviour based, however, drugs or alcohol may not be consumed on premises. Limited number of pets allowed. Some storage space available for belongings, including carts.
19 Nicol Street, Nanaimo
250-714-1142
24 hours
1, 5, 6, 20, 30, 40, 50
Youth - Friendship Lelum Youth Safe House
For at-risk youth from 12 to 18 years of age. No drugs or alcohol allowed on premises.
250-753-8266
Men and Women - Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter
Men, women, pets and storage. No drugs or alcohol permitted on premises.
595 Townsite Road, Nanaimo
250-754-3720
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
1
Winter Shelters (Open November 15, 2020 to March 31, 2021)
Nanaimo - St Peter's Winter Cold Weather Shelter
24 bed capacity. No drugs or alcohol permitted on premises. Open every night.
301 Machleary Street, Nanaimo
778-441-2568
8:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
40
Nanaimo - Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy and the 7-10 Club
Warming centres will be able to accommodate 10-15 people at a time. Wallace Street location is open Monday to Saturday and the Prideaux location will be open seven days a week. Hot drinks and snacks will be available.
489 Wallace Street and 285 Prideaux Street
250-753-2321 / 250-714-0917
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
7, 30, 40
Oceanside Area - Anglican Church of St. Edmund
8 bed capacity. Guests will receive clean bed, food and access to a washroom.
407 Wembley Road
250-927-2717
8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
40, 91
Oceanside Area - Emergency Response Centre
Contact OHEART for availability and further information
250-927-2717
Table last updated February 23, 2021
For those experiencing ongoing homelessness, the Homelessness Outreach Response Team, 250-741-7645, is there to help.
If you are in crisis and need help, contact Vancouver Island Crisis Line at 1-888-494-3888.