Respond · Program
Emergency shelter
A safe, warm place to sleep on the first night and every night after.
When people have to leave home fast, the first need is simple: somewhere safe to sleep. We keep shelter trailers packed and ready in four warehouses, so the cots arrive the same day the call comes in.
Our shelters run with local partners in places people already know. Families stay together. Pets have a space. Anyone who needs a quiet corner, a ramp or a private room gets one.
At a glance
Example figures- Typical time from a request to the first trailer on the road (example)
- 6 hrs
- Cots in each pre-packed shelter trailer (example)
- 150
- Trained staff and volunteers on every shift
- 24/7
What it includes
What families can count on
- Cots, blankets, pillows and privacy screens for every person
- Family areas so parents and children stay together
- Accessible sleeping spaces and quiet rooms
- A pet area run with local animal rescue partners
- Registration that helps separated families find each other
- Hot meals, drinking water and charging stations
How it works
Step by step
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Step 1
The call comes in
Local emergency managers ask for help. We agree on a site that is safe, dry and easy to reach.
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Step 2
Trailers roll
The nearest warehouse sends a packed shelter trailer. A lead and a first crew travel with it.
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Step 3
Doors open
Volunteers set up cots, sign people in, and keep the shelter running day and night.
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Step 4
Every family gets a plan
Before a shelter closes, a caseworker helps each household plan where they go next.
Questions about emergency shelter
Who can stay at a shelter?
Anyone who had to leave home because of the disaster. You do not need ID or insurance to get a safe place to sleep.
Can I bring my pet?
Yes. Most of our shelters have a pet area run with local animal rescue groups. Bring food, a leash or carrier, and any medication if you can.
Are your shelters accessible?
We choose sites with step-free entry and accessible washrooms. Tell us at sign-in what you need and we will set it up.
Other programs
Give to emergency shelter
Keep emergency shelter ready for the next call.
We open shelters in community halls, schools and arenas within hours, with cots, blankets, meals and people who know your name.
Prefer a steady gift? See monthly giving. Every gift gets a receipt.