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

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Daytime Warming Shelters

Caledonia Extreme Cold Weather Day-Use Space
110 Wall Street from 8am-4pm
Extreme cold weather day-use space. Operated by the Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society. Opened from 8am to 4pm, only when a cold weather event is occurring which meets one or more of the following conditions:
- Temperatures at or below -2 degrees Celsius
- Significant snow accumulation or sleet/freezing rain conditions
- Significant windstorms that may present danger to those living unsheltered in wooded areas
- The Province has issued an extreme weather alert in accordance with The Assistance to Shelter Act
- Environment Canada has issued an arctic outflow and/or snowfall warning for a region that includes the City of Nanaimo
CMHA Daytime Warming Drop-In Space

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - 489 Wallace Street
Daytime warming drop-in space. Open 7 days a week from 10:00am -3:00pm.

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Emergency Shelters

Salvation Army New Hope Centre

(19 Nicol Street) 250-714-1142

Has 24 emergency shelter beds available for men.
Emergency Shelter First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo

(595 Townsite Road) 250-754-3720

Has 24 emergency shelter beds for men and women.

Open 6 pm to 7 am, 7 days a week. To check bed availability, please call 250-754-3720 or arrive after 6 pm. You can email shelter@ufon.ca
St. Peters Winter Shelter - jointly operated by the Nanaimo Region John Howard Society and the Nanaimo Family Life Association

(301 Machleary Street) 250-754-3720
Has 24 shelter beds for men and women, winter months only (November 22 to March 31, from 10:00pm to 7:00am, 7 days a week). Guests are asked to enter from the back laneway.
St. Peter’s cold weather shelter (direct line): 778-441-2568
Nanaimo Family Life (office hours only): 250-754-3331
Nanaimo Region John Howard Society (office hours only): 250- 754-1266
Friendship Lelum Youth Safe House

(250-753-8266)

Co-ed, year-round shelter for 'at-risk youth' between 12-18 years.
Island Crisis Care Society Samaritan House

(285 Prideaux Street) and operating as an Emergency Resource Centre 250-753-1474
There are 20 beds for women, and 16 beds for men.
The Samaritan House will is expected to move to its current location at 702 Nicol Street before the end of December, 2021. The new building will include 14 “Bridge to Housing” supports for women, and 52 supportive housing units. Following the opening of the new building at 702 Nicol Street, the 285 Prideaux Street location will be demolished and replaced with a new supportive housing building.

Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) shelter and housing support information, click the links below:

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Emergency Food Providers

Salvation Army New Hope Centre

(19 Nicol Street) 250-714-1142 / 250-753-0810
Meal program open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bread & baked goods available during meal times while supplies last.
A breakfast program will be offered on weekdays from 8:00 am to 10:00 am beginning September 9, 2021.
Lunch is served from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Supper is served from 4:00 to 5:30 pm.
7-10 Breakfast Club

250- 714-0917
The Community Services Building which the 7-10 Club was operating out of is now under the ownership of BC Housing to build 51 new permanent homes with supports for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. As a result, the 7-10 Breakfast Club will no longer operate out of the Community Services Building.

Nanaimo City Council has funded a temporary breakfast program. Free hot meals will be served indoors to anyone in need at the Salvation Army New Hope Centre.
Stone Soup / Wisteria Community Association

(Mobile Service) 250-591-6443
Provides a brown bag lunch to go that is served by community volunteers to those in need during the hours of 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. All meals are offered at no charge. www.wisteriacommunityassociation.com
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.

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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 12 pm
Towels and toiletries are supplied. Due to COVID-19 protocols, there may be a longer wait, please be patient.
Portable Toilets

Several portable toilets are located throughout Nanaimo for the convenience of residents, visitors and homeless individuals.To view a map of the available facilities, click here.
Public Washrooms and Water
Public Washrooms and water are available 7 days a week with varied opening/closing hours.
- Bowen Park East 8 am - 9 pm
- Brechin Boat Ramp 7 am - 9 pm
- Colliery Dam Park 8 am - 11 pm
- Diana Krall Plaza 24 hours
- Kinsmen Park 8 am - 9 pm
- Maffeo Sutton Park 6 am - 8 pm
- Pipers Lagoon Park 8 am - 11 pm
- Westwood Lake Park 7 am - 9 pm
- Northfield Rotary Lookout Park (Visitor Centre) 6 am - 7 pm.
A map of water fountains and washrooms is now accessible using the following link: www.nanaimo.ca/goto/waterfountains.

* Please note these are the general open/closing times until March 31, 2021. They could vary based on maintenance/cleaning/weather or special event.

Last updated: December 30, 2021

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