Gatineau adds winter shelter spaces

Drazen Seslija

A new community service centre opened its doors in the Hull sector on October 20 to provide shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the cold season. Open day and night, the 40-bed facility offers showers, laundry facilities, storage space, and support services for people experiencing homelessness.

With the 60 beds already available at Gîte Ami, the two centres will provide shelter for approximately 100 people each night, according to Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette. Additional solutions are planned should demand exceed capacity.

A second community service centre on the horizon

A second centre is set to open in the Old Gatineau sector on November 15, 2026. It will be able to accommodate about 30 people in the evening as well as overnight.

The City has been preparing these measures for several months now, in collaboration with its partners, to provide a warm and safe place for people experiencing homelessness. Daytime services also remain available: the Soupe populaire de Hull, the Centre Frédéric-Ozanam, and the Soupière du Vieux-Gatineau continue to serve hot meals and provide a welcoming space for those in need.

According to the mayor, when temperatures drop below −20°C, municipal teams and the Gatineau Police Service will be ready to step up their efforts on the ground. Marquis-Bissonnette also emphasized that emergency shelter provides an immediate response; coordinated services remain essential to help people get off the streets in the long term.