Services and Supports
This page provides a short-list of the emergency shelter, nutrition and hygiene services available to residents of Nanaimo. For a full list of low and no-cost support services available in the city of Nanaimo, please refer to the Surviving in Nanaimo guide.
Emergency Shelters
RDN Regional Housing Resource List:
- Salvation Army New Hope Centre
(19 Nicol Street) 250-714-1142
Has 24 emergency shelter beds available for men. - Island Crisis Care Society Samaritan House
(355 Nicol Street) 250-753-1474
Has 14 emergency shelter beds available for women. - Winter Shelter First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo
(595 Townsite Road) 250-754-3720
Has 30 emergency shelter beds for men and women, winter months only (November to March). - The Centre Shelter (Co-Ed) - Nanaimo Women's Resources Society and the Nanaimo Citizen Advocacy Association
(St. Peter's Church, 301 Machleary Street) Coordinator 250-268-6151 or Shelter 250-268-6150
Has 35 shelter beds for men and women, winter months only (December to March). - Friendship Lelum Youth Safe House
(250-753-8266)
Co-ed, year-round shelter for 'at-risk youth' between 12-18 years. - Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) shelter and housing support information, click the links below:
Emergency Food Providers
- Salvation Army New Hope Centre
(19 Nicol Street) 250-714-1142 / 250-753-0810
Meal program open for lunch and dinner. Bread & baked goods available during meal times while supplies last.
Lunch is served from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Supper is served from 4:00 to 5:30 pm ($2.00 for hot meals). - 7-10 Breakfast Club
(285 Prideaux Street in the Community Service Building - entrance off Fitzwilliam St) 250- 714-0917
Provides a hot nutritious breakfast, homemade soup, plus a brown bag lunch to go that is served
by community volunteers to those in need during the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM. All meals are offered at no charge. - Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank
(1009 Farquhar Street) 250-754-8347
List of satellite food banks available at http://nanaimoloavesandfishes.org/index.php?pageID=schedule.
Hygiene Services
- Shower Program - City of Nanaimo/First Unitarian Shelter
Caledonia Park (110 Wall Street)
250-668-4607/shelter@ufon.ca
Free showers available - Monday to Friday, 7 am to 10 am
Towels and toiletries are supplied. - Portable Toilets
Several portable toilets have been located downtown for the convenience of residents, visitors and homeless individuals.
Last updated: May 24, 2019