DESCRIPTION
The Community of Hope Shelter is a 24/7 emergency shelter providing safe, dignified, trauma‑informed care for women and gender‑diverse people experiencing homelessness. More than a place to sleep, it offers warmth, nutritious meals, and wrap‑around support delivered with compassion and respect. During the day, guests can access programs focused on addressing barriers, building connections, and taking steps toward stability and housing. Many who come to us face complex challenges—including violence, criminalization, poverty, and health concerns. Community of Hope offers a lifeline in moments of crisis, helping people regain safety, rebuild trust, and move toward independence.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
The Community of Hope Emergency Shelter operates under a no‑cost, barrier‑reduced affordability framework, meaning that all shelter services are provided free of charge to guests. As an emergency service, the shelter does not use Rent‑Geared‑to‑Income (RGI) or market‑based affordability models. Instead, we ensure full accessibility for women and gender‑diverse people experiencing homelessness by eliminating financial barriers entirely.
Target Completion Date
As soon as possible
Populations Served
Women in Need
Total Project Cost
$6,600,000
Total Units
96
Affordable Units
96
Populations Served - Notes
Women, girls, and gender-diverse people impacted by criminalization, poverty, homelessness, and systemic inequities
Project Funding
Funding Required
While we have all operational funds needed for our shelter in place, we are in need of funds to support our down payment to secure our property purchase. The amount currently needed is $2 million with $4 million in financing already secured.
Funds Raised
$1 million Vendor Take-Back loan secured, $400k unrestricted funds.
Use of funds
Acquisition of a site to relocate the Community of Hope shelter.
Human Impact Story
RA has stayed at our shelter for over a year, after experiencing homelessness for 32 years. An Indigenous woman who has survived more trauma than she can put into words, much of her story is held silently in her body. She has been banned from every other shelter in the city, and her life experiences have taught her that trusting others often leads to harm.
In 1964, after giving birth to her daughter—who was immediately taken from her—RA was forcibly sterilized. Speaking about this loss still overwhelms her ability to cope. For decades, she tried to numb this pain in any way she could, which led to long‑term addiction.
At Community of Hope, RA recently celebrated four months of sobriety—the first time she has experienced this level of stability in her adult life. And in February 2026, after more than three decades of homelessness, RA moved into her very first home.
She dreams of making bannock and inviting her two grandsons over for Easter dinner. She is nervous, but she is also profoundly courageous. RA credits the Community of Hope for helping her reach this moment—finding a home, reclaiming her life, and beginning to rebuild a relationship with her grandchildren.
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