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.

Please note that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of local providers are currently limited in the services provided. Additionally, some overnight shelters are operating at reduced capacity and/or not receiving new guests. Due to the rapidly changing context, we are not able to provide updated information for every service provider, so please check directly with them to confirm whether services have been affected.

To find information on community, health and social service providers, please go to: Helpseeker.org.

• RDN Emergency Shelter Brochure
• RDN Regional Housing Resource List

Warming Centres

The warming centres listed below are in partnership with United Way and non-profit service providers along with support from the City of Nanaimo:

• 489 Wallace – operated by the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy, open Monday to Saturday 
• 285 Prideaux – operated by 7-10 Club, open seven days a week 

These warming centres will be open from January 18 to March 31, 2021. They will operate between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and have space for 10 to 15 guests at a time. Offering hot drinks and snacks, the warming centres will provide a warm and safe space for people who need it most during the coldest months of the year.