Homeless Shelters in Ottawa
Listings verified October 2026 against the Ontario Resource Directory.
If you are homeless in Ottawa tonight, you do not have to sleep outside. Ottawa’s homeless shelters take men, women, youth and families every night of the year, and the City places people through one phone call — 3-1-1. Beds are free, and you do not need ID, a referral or an appointment.
How shelter placement works
- Call 3-1-1 — the City of Ottawa’s shelter intake line, answered 24 hours a day. Outside Ottawa’s 613 area or on a mobile plan without 3-1-1, call 1-866-261-9799 (toll-free).
- An intake specialist matches you to a shelter with space that fits your situation — single men, single women, youth, families and newcomers are placed in different parts of the system.
- Transport help is available if you are out in the cold and need a way to the shelter.
- 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, instead of being turned away at a full door.
For anything else — drop-ins, food, clothing, financial help — call 2-1-1 (24/7, free, confidential). In a mental-health crisis, call or text 9-8-8 anywhere in Canada. In immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Ottawa homeless shelters — full list
Every homeless 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.
Which shelter fits your situation?
Men: The Ottawa Mission (613-234-1144), Shepherds of Good Hope Main Shelter (613-789-8210) and the Salvation Army Booth Centre (613-241-1573) are the main men’s shelters, all downtown. House of Hope and the John Howard Society Transition House are smaller settings; Veterans’ House (613-686-1825) serves veterans.
Women: Cornerstone Housing for Women (613-237-4669) and the Shepherds of Good Hope Emergency Women’s Shelter (613-789-8210) take women who need a bed tonight. If you are fleeing abuse, Interval House, Nelson House, Chrysalis House, Maison d’amitié and Oshki Kizis Lodge are staffed 24/7, keep their addresses secret, and take you and your children — call first.
Youth: The Youth Services Bureau runs Ottawa’s youth emergency shelters — one call to 613-260-2360 (24/7) reaches the right site. Restoring Hope Ministries, St. Mary’s Home for young parents, and Tewegan for Indigenous young women are also in the table above.
Families: Families with children are placed together through the City’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. See the dedicated guide: Family Shelters in Ottawa.
Newcomers: The Catholic Centre for Immigrants Reception House, Carty House for women, Matthew House Ottawa and the YMCA’s newcomer family housing program are in the table above. For the full picture, see Emergency Housing & Shelters in Ottawa.
Winter, overflow and warming centres
In cold weather the City opens extra shelter sites — including 309 McArthur Rd and 1480 Heron Rd — and places families in motels when the main shelters are full. 3-1-1 always knows the current options, so keep calling rather than staying outside. Warming centres are different from shelters: they are daytime warm spaces (libraries and community spaces) for getting out of the cold during the day, not overnight beds. For tonight’s warming-centre locations, call 3-1-1 or 2-1-1.
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.
- 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.
- Daytime help. Shelters and drop-ins can connect you with a housing worker. For longer-term subsidized housing, apply to the Social Housing Registry waiting list.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a homeless 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. You can also walk in to a shelter directly, but calling first avoids being turned away at a full door.
Is a homeless 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.
Do I need ID to stay in a homeless 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 easier — but lacking them will not keep you out.
What is the difference between a homeless shelter and a warming centre?
A homeless shelter gives you an overnight bed. A warming centre is a daytime warm space — a library or community space open during the day for getting out of the cold. For tonight’s warming-centre locations, call 3-1-1 or 2-1-1; for a bed tonight, call 3-1-1 for shelter placement.
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.
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.