Ottawa·NewOttawa’s homeless shelters are entering winter already at full capacity. Despite city measures and expanded shelter and transitional housing space, people are still sleeping in chairs or on the floor.City can offer overflow space for up to 100 clients if shelter spaces fillCameron Mahler · CBC News · Posted: Dec 02, 2025 4:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 29 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Peter Tilley, CEO of the Ottawa Mission, says that even with the city’s plans to handle overflow, his shelter still has people sleeping on the floor. (Cameron Mahler/CBC)Homeless shelters in Ottawa say they’re entering the winter season already at capacity, even with the city’s plans to manage overflow.At the Ottawa Mission, CEO Peter Tilley says they’re already feeling the pressure. “Winter is going to be challenging,” he told CBC, adding that it’s going to be more difficult without any city-run overnight warming centres.According to a recent integrated transition to housing strategy (ITHS) report to Ottawa’s community services committee, permanent shelter and transitional housing capacity has expanded over the past two years, with about 100 beds available system-wide.Tilley said this additional space is helpful, but the Mission has operated over capacity since the pandemic — and that hasn’t changed.”There’s no light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.Tilley said last year, up to 40 per cent of clients identified as newcomers and asylum seekers. However, with the addition of the St. Joseph Transitional Housing Program for asylum claimants (space for 150), and the 230 Queen Street Transitional Housing Program (space for 140), the Ottawa Mission has seen that decrease to as few as 10 per cent.But even with sleeping mats laid out in the Mission’s chapel, people often spend the night in plastic chairs or on the floor in the waiting area, hoping to secure a bed for the next day or two, Tilley said.”We will not turn someone away on a cold winter’s day.”Ashley McCullough, senior programming manager at Shepherds of Good Hope, says their shelter has been operating at capacity since the cold weather set in. (Cameron Mahler/CBC)At Shepherds of Good Hope, senior programming manager Ashley McCullough says they’re experiencing the same pressure. “We see our shelter consistently at capacity,” she said. When all overflow beds are used, McCullough said they have to get creative, relying on other shelters and the city to place people elsewhere.The ITHS report says additional overflow options are being readied, including a 40-bed community room at the St. Joseph site and the city-controlled facility at 250 Lanark Ave., which can host up to 60 people if demand surges.It also says outreach teams are distributing winter supplies such as sleeping bags, clothing and hand warmers. They’re also offering transport to shelters, and connecting people with other housing supports. Centre 507, a community-run organization, now provides 24/7 low-barrier overnight warming, and Shepherds’ new drop-in at 216 Murray St. offers indoor space 16 hours a day.Belong Ottawa operates three downtown drop-in day programs for Ottawa’s unhoused population. In an email to CBC News, they say their demand is surging, too.”More than 600 people rely on Belong Ottawa’s supports every day,” the organization said.”Staff continue to hear stories of limited shelter spaces, long waits for housing, and severe health impacts of prolonged exposure to sub-zero temperatures.”Belong Ottawa said a severe shortage of supportive housing is widening that gap.McCullough agrees.”Supportive housing is the solution to avoiding people being out in the cold,” she said.ABOUT THE AUTHORCameron is an Ottawa-based journalist with CBC News. He’s worked with CBC Kitchener-Waterloo covering elections, local news, and city council. Cameron also interned with CBC Toronto’s Enterprise Unit. Contact Cameron with story ideas at cameron.mahler@cbc.ca. Follow Cameron on X @cam_mahler
Ottawa shelters already full as winter cold sets in
