Emergency Housing & Shelters in Ottawa
Listings verified October 2026 against the Ontario Resource Directory.
Need a bed tonight?
Call 3-1-1 — the City of Ottawa’s shelter intake line, answered 24 hours a day. An intake specialist will refer you to the best available shelter for your situation, and can arrange transportation help if you are out in the cold. Outside Ottawa’s 613 area or on a mobile plan without 3-1-1, call 1-866-261-9799 (toll-free).
- Call 3-1-1 — emergency shelter placement in Ottawa (24/7). Outside Ottawa: 1-866-261-9799.
- Call 2-1-1 — information on drop-ins, food banks, community services, winter clothing and financial help (24/7, free, confidential).
- Call or text 9-8-8 — Suicide Crisis Helpline, anywhere in Canada (24/7, free).
- Call 9-1-1 — if anyone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, including hypothermia.
You do not need a referral, an appointment or ID to get an emergency shelter bed. You can also walk in to any shelter below — but calling 3-1-1 first means you are sent where a bed is actually open.
Ottawa emergency shelters — full list
Every emergency shelter in Ottawa, from the Ontario Resource Directory. Addresses for shelters for women fleeing violence are confidential for safety — call the crisis line shown and staff will arrange a safe way in.
| Shelter | Who it serves | Phone | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Ottawa — Shelter Intake & Family Shelter | Everyone; families with children | 3-1-1 | Placement by phone — call 3-1-1 (24/7) |
| The Ottawa Mission | Men | 613-234-1144 | 35 Waller St, Ottawa, ON |
| Shepherds of Good Hope — Main Shelter | Men | 613-789-8210 | 233 Murray St, Ottawa, ON |
| Salvation Army Ottawa Booth Centre | Men | 613-241-1573 | 171 George St, Ottawa, ON |
| House of Hope | Men | 613-230-7676 | 32 Gilmour St, Ottawa, ON |
| John Howard Society of Ottawa — Transition House | Men | 613-565-1739 | 387 MacLaren St, Ottawa, ON |
| Cornerstone Housing for Women — Emergency Shelter | Women | 613-237-4669 | 2980 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON |
| Shepherds of Good Hope — Emergency Women’s Shelter | Women | 613-789-8210 | 256 King Edward Ave, Ottawa, ON |
| Interval House of Ottawa | Women and families fleeing violence | 613-234-8511 | Confidential location — call first |
| Nelson House of Ottawa-Carleton | Women and families fleeing violence | 613-225-0533 | Confidential location — call first |
| Chrysalis House (Western Ottawa) | Women and families fleeing violence | 613-591-5901 | Confidential location — call first |
| Maison d’amitié | Women fleeing violence (francophone) | 613-747-0020 | Confidential location — call first |
| Oshki Kizis Lodge — Minwaashin Lodge | Indigenous women | 613-741-5590 | Confidential location — call first |
| Sakeenah Canada — Ottawa | Women | 1-888-671-3446 ext. 120 | Confidential location — call first |
| Youth Services Bureau — Youth Emergency Shelters (24/7 line) | Youth | 613-260-2360 | Ottawa, ON — call for the right site |
| YSB — Evelyn Horne Emergency Housing for Young Women | Young women | 613-789-8220 | 2675 Queensview Dr, Ottawa, ON |
| YSB — Young Men’s Emergency & Transitional Housing | Young men | 613-907-8975 | 433 Cooper St, Ottawa, ON |
| Restoring Hope Ministries | Youth | 613-808-3321 | 140 Laurier Ave W, Ottawa, ON |
| St. Mary’s Home — Young Parent Outreach Centre | Youth and young parents | 613-749-2491 | 780 de l’Église St, Ottawa, ON |
| Tewegan Housing for Aboriginal Youth | Indigenous young women | 613-233-0672 | 65 Harvey St, Ottawa, ON |
| Catholic Centre for Immigrants — Reception House | Newcomer men | 613-232-9634 | 219 Argyle Ave, Ottawa, ON |
| Carty House | Newcomer women | 613-236-8855 | Sandy Hill / Vanier, Ottawa, ON |
| Matthew House Ottawa | Newcomers and families | 613-680-3376 | Ottawa, ON — call for intake |
| YMCA — Transitional Family Housing for Newcomers | Newcomer families | 613-237-1320 ext. 5058 | Ottawa, ON — call for intake |
| Veterans’ House — The Andy Carswell Building | Veterans | 613-686-1825 | 745 Mikinak Rd, Ottawa, ON |
| City of Ottawa — Winter Overflow Shelter Sites | Everyone (seasonal) | 3-1-1 | 309 McArthur Rd and 1480 Heron Rd, Ottawa, ON |
Looking for services beyond Ottawa? The Ontario Resource Directory lists 6,000+ verified shelters, food banks, housing help and support services in every Ontario community.
Shelters for families
Families with children are placed through the City of Ottawa’s family shelter system — call 3-1-1 and you will be placed together, in a family shelter or, when shelters are full, in a motel paid for by the City. Families are not split up by gender the way single-adult shelters are. Women’s shelters in the table above (Interval House, Nelson House, Chrysalis House, Maison d’amitié, Oshki Kizis Lodge) also take mothers with children who are fleeing violence, and their locations are confidential. See our dedicated guide: Family Shelters in Ottawa.
Shelters for women
Cornerstone Housing for Women (613-237-4669, 2980 Carling Ave) and the Shepherds of Good Hope Emergency Women’s Shelter (613-789-8210, 256 King Edward Ave) take women who need a bed tonight — call directly or go through 3-1-1. If you are fleeing abuse, the violence-against-women shelters above (Interval House, Nelson House, Chrysalis House, Maison d’amitié, Oshki Kizis Lodge) are staffed 24/7, keep their addresses secret, and can take you and your children. You can also reach the Ottawa Distress Line any time at 613-238-3311.
Shelters for youth
The Youth Services Bureau runs Ottawa’s youth emergency shelters — one call to 613-260-2360 (24/7) reaches the right site, including the Evelyn Horne home for young women and the young men’s program. Restoring Hope Ministries (613-808-3321) shelters youth downtown, St. Mary’s Home (613-749-2491) supports young parents, and Tewegan (613-233-0672) is a transition home for Indigenous young women. If you would rather talk first, Kids Help Phone is free and anonymous at 1-800-668-6868 or by text to 686868 — see the full list of crisis helplines.
Shelters for men
The Ottawa Mission (613-234-1144, 35 Waller St), Shepherds of Good Hope Main Shelter (613-789-8210, 233 Murray St) and the Salvation Army Booth Centre (613-241-1573, 171 George St) are Ottawa’s main men’s shelters, all downtown and all reachable through 3-1-1. House of Hope (613-230-7676) and the John Howard Society Transition House (613-565-1739) offer smaller settings. Veterans can also contact Veterans’ House (613-686-1825).
Indigenous, newcomer and francophone services
Oshki Kizis Lodge (613-741-5590) and Tewegan (613-233-0672) provide Indigenous-led shelter and support. Newcomers and refugee claimants can call the Catholic Centre for Immigrants Reception House (613-232-9634), Carty House for women (613-236-8855), Matthew House Ottawa (613-680-3376) or the YMCA’s newcomer family housing program (613-237-1320 ext. 5058). Maison d’amitié (613-747-0020) serves francophone women fleeing violence. More settlement and community services are in the Ontario Resource Directory.
What to expect at a shelter
- It is free. There is no charge for an emergency shelter bed in Ottawa.
- Intake is simple. Staff will ask your name, a few questions about your situation and any health or safety needs. You do not need ID, a referral or an appointment — but call 3-1-1 first so you are sent to a shelter with space.
- Bring what you can, come as you are if you can’t. Medication, ID, a phone charger and a change of clothes help, but none of it is required to be sheltered.
- Belongings and pets. Most shelters have limited storage — ask when you call. Pet rules vary by shelter; 3-1-1 intake can tell you which options can take your pet.
- If shelters are full. In cold weather and overflow periods the City opens extra sites (including 309 McArthur Rd and 1480 Heron Rd) and places families in motels. 3-1-1 always knows the current options — keep calling rather than staying outside.
- Daytime help. Shelters and drop-ins can connect you with housing workers. For longer-term subsidized housing, apply to the Social Housing Registry waiting list — and search housing help across Ontario in the Ontario Resource Directory.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a shelter bed in Ottawa tonight?
Call 3-1-1, the City of Ottawa’s 24/7 shelter intake line (toll-free 1-866-261-9799). An intake specialist will refer you to the shelter with space that fits your situation — families, women, men and youth are placed in different parts of the system. You can also walk in to a shelter directly, but calling first avoids being turned away at a full door.
Is emergency shelter in Ottawa free?
Yes. Emergency shelter beds in Ottawa are funded publicly and through charities, and there is no charge to stay. Drop-in meals and most shelter services are also free.
Can I bring my children to a shelter?
Yes. Families are placed together through the City’s family shelter system — call 3-1-1. Shelters for women fleeing violence (Interval House, Nelson House, Chrysalis House and others listed above) also accept mothers with children, and their addresses are confidential.
What if the shelters are full?
Call 3-1-1 anyway. The City opens overflow and winter sites and places families in motels when the main shelters are full, and intake staff always know the current options. Do not assume there is nothing — the situation changes daily.
Do I need ID or a referral to stay in a shelter?
No. You do not need ID, a referral or an appointment to get an emergency bed. Bring ID and medication if you have them — they make intake and follow-up services easier — but lacking them will not keep you out.
I’m not in Ottawa. How do I find a shelter near me?
Search the Ontario Resource Directory for shelters in your community, or call 2-1-1 anywhere in Ontario for local shelter and services information. In a mental-health crisis, call or text 9-8-8 anywhere in Canada, or browse the crisis helpline directory.