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The Bridges: meeting the supportive emergency housing challenge in Cambridge

Affordability is the most significant challenge in helping move people out of shelters and the Cambridge Shelter Corporation continues to work to address issues in finding affordable housing

On the outside, The Bridges in Cambridge is a magnificent, majestic stone building, almost castle-like.

On the inside, it is a year-round emergency shelter and drop-in centre with 20 affordable, transitional, bachelor apartments for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“It’s much more than an emergency shelter,” says Sharon Livingstone, board chair at the Cambridge Shelter Corporation.

The Bridges offers a continuum of services, programming, and support to assist clients with issues facing them so they can move forward towards permanent and affordable housing.

“If you need a health card, help with job searches or housing, we help. As soon as someone enters, we come up with a housing plan,” Livingstone said.

But it is affordability that is the most significant challenge in helping move people out of shelters according to Livingstone.

Currently, there are 7,000 people on waiting lists for housing in Waterloo Region.

“This includes individual and families of all ages awaiting rent geared to income,” Livingstone said.

“Rental costs have increased. Housing is scarce. The need is huge. We are seeing more older adults who can no longer afford rent because of the death of a partner. We just had an 85-year-old client, and we are seeing more people with disabilities who have no family support,” Livingstone said.

“We need far more supportive housing. We have 20 units on our second floor, but there is a need of at least 120 more.”

Emergency shelters play a critical in providing a safe place for people experiencing a housing crisis but it is often a temporary fix, not a 'solution' of a growing housing crisis.

“Many of the people who are chronically homeless, have physical or mental health issues,” says Anne Tinker, interim executive director at the Cambridge Shelter Corporation.

“With the pandemic and winter on the way, the need for shelter will only increase.”

With the clearing of homeless encampments and the closing of the House of Friendship in Kitchener, the impact on The Bridges will inevitably see an increase in demand for it’s services.  

For some, visiting a shelter is not an option.

“Some people just can’t come into a shelter. They might be suffering from mental health issues, or they might have a pet. They might be active in their substance abuse, so their schedule is unregulated. We don’t have a lot of rules here, but we do have a schedule including dinner times. But some people just can’t adhere to that,” Tinker said.

The Cambridge Shelter Corporation (CSC) says that it believes in a “whole person” approach to serving clients and works in partnership with other agencies to ensure that clients have access to the services they need to achieve personal success.

CSC works closely with various community agencies including the Canadian Mental Health Association, both the city and regional food banks. and Langs Community Health Centre, which offers medical care.

With over 400 volunteers, The Bridges is able to offer a variety of services including daily meals.  

Prior to the pandemic, The Bridges provided emergency shelter for over 100 individuals.

“But during the pandemic, the number of shelter beds has been reduced. We now have about 80 on-site and there are 40 individuals being housed at a local motel,” Livingstone said.

“Thanks to a dedicated housing team, during COVID-19, we have been able to find permanent housing for 140 people,” Livingstone said.

After 16 years at its current location, The Bridges remains a valued organization in the community.

The Cambridge Shelter Corporation grew out of the 'Out of the Cold' program in Cambridge in 1998, which was operated out of seven local churches. The program was volunteer-driven and provided meals and overnight shelter.

“Since then, there was nowhere near the number of homeless people as there are now. The economy and the drug landscape have changed drastically. Crack cocaine was the drug of choice back when we began. Since the introduction of fentanyl and crystal meth, there are so many more drug overdoses and we are so much more concerned,” Tinker said.

“And for those with mental health issues, we have no ability to get medication for them unless they are a threat to themselves or others.”

Tinker says to be permanently housed, these individuals require 24-hour support and help with daily tasks such as cooking or cleaning. But the government closed these types of facilities years ago.

"So, this type of supportive or assisted housing, just doesn’t exist," Tinker said.

The Cambridge Shelter Corporation continues to work together with local landlords to address issues in finding affordable housing.

“There are individuals staying at The Bridges who have jobs. They just can’t find affordable housing, We have built relationships with landlords over the years. Today, it seems there is no hope unless individuals are in a 'shared accommodation' situation, Tinker said.

Tinker says the conversation about homelessness needs to change.

“People deserve to be helped. It could be someone in your family who’s been touched by drugs or mental health issues,” Tinker said.

“Many people just don’t have the supports they need. If we don’t hear their stories, they aren’t real to us. We see them on the streets, but when you hear their stories, they become real,” Tinker said.

“Knowing that we are helping, I can hold on to that.”

For more information about The Bridges, visit cambridgesheltercorp.ca


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Barbara Latkowski

About the Author: Barbara Latkowski

Barbara graduated with a Masters degree in Journalism from Western University and has covered politics, arts and entertainment, health, education, sports, courts, social justice, and issues that matter to the community
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