Cold Weather Response for Individuals Who Are Unhoused
The Guelph & Wellington Poverty Elimination Collaborative is working with The County of Wellington, The City of Guelph, Stepping Stone, Wyndham House, Royal City Mission, Guelph Public Libraries, Hope House, Chalmers, The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington, Guelph Police Service and Wellington County OPP again this year to develop Community Cold Weather Response Resources for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in Guelph and Wellington County. These resources outline a protocol for the 2026-27 cold weather season to support individuals experiencing homelessness to access and get to emergency shelters and warm-up locations in periods of cold weather.
These Community Cold Weather Response Resources for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness are not triggered by a specific temperature. Partners and community members are encouraged to use their judgment about the temperature and weather conditions, as well as the safety and well being of individuals.
Please share this infographic widely. It will print as an 8.5 x 11 sheet: Guelph Cold Weather Response Infographic.
Please share this infographic widely. It will print as an 8.5 x 11 sheet: County Cold Weather Response Infographic.
- If you are an adult (25 years+), please call: 519-822-1100
- If you are a family, please call: 519-265-1323
- If you are a youth (16-24 years), please call: 519-837-3892
- HERE 24/7: 1-844-437-3247
- Guelph Police Service non-emergency line: 519-824-1212
- Welcoming Streets, for downtown support: 519-838-6763
- If it is an emergency situation: Call 911
23 Gordon Emergency Shelter (23 Gordon Street, Guelph) – Overnight, 8:00pm-8:00am (7 days a week – intake done upon arrival)
23 Gordon Drop In Space (23 Gordon Street, Guelph) – 8:00 am to 2:00 pm (Monday to Friday), 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Saturday, closed Sunday
Youth Emergency Shelter (18 Norwich Street East, Guelph) – 24/7 (7 days a week)
Youth Hub (133 Woolwich Street) – 9:00am-4:30pm (Mon-Fri), (closed Sat & Sun)
Grove Hub at University of Guelph (50 College Ave W.) – 11:00am-7:00pm (Mon-Fri), (closed Sat-Sun)
Grove Hub Woolwich (737 Woolwich St.) – 11:00am-7:00pm (Mon-Fri), (closed Sat-Sun)
Royal City Mission (50 Quebec St.) – 1pm-7pm (Mon, Wed, Fri), 10:00am-2:00pm (Sun), (closed Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Hope House (10 Cork Street East) – 9:00am-4:00pm (Mon-Wed), 9:00am-6:00pm (Thurs), (closed Fri-Sun)
Chalmers Downtown (41 Macdonnell Street) – 9:00am-12:00pm (Mon), 9:00am-12:00pm (Tues), 6:30pm-8:00pm (Wed), (closed Thurs), 10:00am-12:00pm (Friday), (closed Sat-Sun)
Chalmers West (577 Willow Rd) – 9:30am – 11:30am (Thurs)
Guelph City Hall (1 Carden St.) – 8:30am-4:00pm (Mon-Fri, closed Sat & Sun)
Please note: For more information the City warming locations and hours, please visit the City of Guelph’s webpage: https://guelph.ca/living/recreation/rec-facilities/city-warming-and-cooling-centres/ for additional updates on hours.
Guelph Main Branch Library (100 Norfolk St.) – 9:00am-9:00pm (Mon-Thurs), 9:00am-5:00pm (Fri & Sat), 1:00pm-5:00pm (Sun)
Closure Notice: The main branch of the library (100 Norfolk St.) will be closing on February 1, 2027 and will reopen in April 2027 at the new central library location (Baker St.).
Guelph Public Library West End Branch (21 Imperial Road South) – 9:00am-8:00pm (Mon-Thurs), 9:00am-9:00pm (Fri), 9:00am-5:00pm (Sat), 1:00pm-5:00pm (Sun)
All other library locations (380 Eramosa Rd., 1 Starwood Dr., 650 Scottsdale Dr., 100-31 Farley Dr.) – 9:00am-8:00pm (Mon-Thurs), 9:00am – 5:00pm (Fri & Sat), 1:00pm – 5:00pm (Sun)
Hope House, Youth Hubs, Grove Hubs, Guelph City Hall, will be closed on October 12th, November 11th, December 25th, and January 1st.
The Guelph Public Libraries will be on reduced hours on December 24th opening 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and on December 31st opening 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Royal City Mission provides lunch at 1 pm and dinner at 6pm (except Sunday).
Side By Side Guelph runs at 176 Wyndham St. N. Sundays from 2 pm – 3:30 pm.
23 Gordon Drop In provides a light breakfast at 8:30 am Monday to Saturday, lunch at 12 pm Monday to Saturday, light dinner at 1 pm Tuesday and Thursday
- If you are an adult (25 years+), please call: 519-822-1100
- If you are a family, please call: 519-265-1323
- If you are a youth (16-24 years), please call: 519-837-3892
- HERE 24/7: 1-844-437-3247
- Wellington County OPP non-emergency line: 1-888-310-1122
- If it is an emergency situation: Call 911
Aboyne Library (552 Wellington Rd. 18) – 10:00AM – 8:00PM (Mon-Thurs), 10:00AM – 5:00PM (Fri-Sat), 1:00PM-5:00PM (Sunday)
Arthur Library (110 Charles St. E) – 10:00AM-5:00PM Monday, 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues-Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), closed Sunday
Clifford Library (7 Brown St. N) – Closed Monday, 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues), 2:00PM-8:00PM (Wed-Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Drayton Library (106 Wellington St. S) – 10:00AM – 5:00PM (Mon), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues-Thurs), 10:00am-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Elora Library (144 Geddes St.) – 10:00AM-5:00PM (Mon), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Wed), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Erin Library (14 Boland Dr.) – The Erin Library is closed for construction.
Fergus Library (190 St. Andrew St. W) – 10:00AM-8:00PM (Mon-Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri-Sat), 1:00PM-5:00PM (Sun)
Harriston Library (88 Mill St.) – 10:00AM-8:00PM (Mon-Tues), 1:00PM-5:00PM (Wed), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Hillsburgh Library (9 Station St.) – 10:00AM-5:00PM (Mon), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues-Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Marden Library (7368 Wellington Rd. 30 RR#5) – 10:00AM-5:00PM (Mon), 1:00PM-8:00PM (Tues), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Wed), 1:00PM-8:00PM (Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Mount Forest Library (118 Main St. N) – 10:00AM-5:00PM (Mon), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Wed), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Palmerston Library (265 Bell St.) – 10AM – 5PM (Mon), 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues-Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Puslinch Library (29 Brock Rd. S) – Closed Monday, 10:00AM-8:00PM (Tues-Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri), 10:00AM-3:00PM (Sat), Closed Sunday
Rockwood Library (121 Rockmosa Dr.) – 10:00AM-8:00PM (Mon-Thurs), 10:00AM-5:00PM (Fri-Sat), Closed Sunday
Grove Hub Erin (10 Thompson Cres.) – 2:00PM-6:00PM (Mon-Fri), (closed Sat-Sun)
Grove Hub Fergus (900 Tower St. S.) – 11:00 AM – 6:00PM (Mon-Fi), (closed Sat-Sun)
Grove Hub Palmerston (390 Main St. E.) – 11:00AM-6:00PM (Mon-Fri), (closed Sat-Sun)
Staying Safe in Cold Weather Resources
Cold weather can be extremely dangerous, especially if you are exposed to the elements. In partnership with Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health we’ve created a document to provide information on how to stay safe in cold weather.
Environment Canada’s Weather Colour Codes
Below is a brief breakdown of the new Environment Canada colour codes for weather alerts. To learn more, visit the Government of Canada’s webpage.
City of Guelph’s Warming Centre Locations
During extreme temperatures, the City of Guelph has spaces where individuals can seek respite from potentially dangerous conditions. Visit the City of Guelph’s webpage for more information.