Losing your home, or being afraid you will lose it tonight, is frightening. If you need emergency shelter in Brantford, there is one number to call, and people who answer it day and night.
At Friendship House in Brantford, we meet neighbours every week who are sleeping rough, couch surfing or one step from it. We do not run a shelter, but this guide explains how emergency shelter works in Brantford, using information from the City of Brantford.
Quick answer
How do I get emergency shelter in Brantford?
Call SOAR Community Services Emergency Shelter Intake at 1-888-621-0034 or 519-759-1290. The phone line answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and staff connect you to available shelter and housing help. You can also go in person to 73 Murray Street. In an emergency, call 911.
Start with one call
The City of Brantford’s emergency shelters page (opens in a new tab) says that anyone who needs emergency shelter should contact SOAR Community Services Emergency Shelter Intake Services. SOAR is part of the Brantford-Brant Coordinated Access System, the network of the City, agencies and community partners that helps people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Calling first means you are matched to a space that is available, rather than going from door to door in the cold.
What shelter intake can do
According to the City’s community supports page, SOAR’s Emergency Shelter Intake is available 7 days a week and helps with:
- shelter diversion, which means looking for a safe option other than a shelter, such as staying with family
- support accessing emergency housing
- snacks, coffee, water and other necessities during in-person hours
- transportation arrangements, if needed
The phone and intercom line is open 24 hours a day. In-person hours at 73 Murray Street are shorter, so call ahead before you go if you can.
Where to get warm in extreme weather
When an extreme weather alert is in effect, the City lists two places with temporary indoor space.
| Place | Address | Who it serves |
|---|---|---|
| Rosewood House | 42 Nelson Street | People without accessibility needs |
| Salvation Army Brantford Booth Centre | 187 Dalhousie Street | Accessible space for adult men |
Our guide on how to prevent frostbite (opens in a new tab) explains the warning signs of cold injury, and why getting indoors quickly matters.
The winter warming location
The City says the Brantford Blessing Centre runs a warming location at 7 Burnley Avenue from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. People can come in from the weather, get food and drinks, and get help finding community supports.
Outside those hours, during an extreme weather alert, the temporary indoor spaces listed above are available. For other questions about local services, call 2-1-1.
Daytime help with housing
SOAR’s Housing Resource Centre, also at 73 Murray Street, is a free service for people at risk of homelessness or already without a home. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with drop-in or booked appointments.
- help finding housing and learning tenant rights and responsibilities
- help with applications, including the centralized housing wait list and the Housing Stability Fund
- referrals to mental health, addiction, legal, ID, tax and employment services, and to food banks
- showers and laundry, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you have lost your ID, our guide on how to replace lost ID in Ontario (opens in a new tab) explains where to start.
If you are at risk of losing your home
Get help before the day you have to leave. SOAR’s Housing Resource Centre helps people keep the housing they have, and the community legal clinic gives free legal advice at 519-752-8669.
If your landlord has given you a notice, read our guide on eviction notices in Ontario (opens in a new tab). A notice alone does not mean you have to move out.
Mental health and crisis support
SOAR’s crisis line answers 24 hours a day at 519-759-7188 or 1-866-811-7188. SOAR also runs a mental health walk-in clinic at 133 Elgin Street on Mondays and Wednesdays, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Our guide on how to help someone with depression (opens in a new tab) has gentle ways to support a friend.
Other free supports in Brantford
The City’s community supports page lists more places that help people without a home:
- Grand River Community Health Centre: health care for people without a family doctor, including a drop-in clinic on Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at St. Andrew’s Church, 95 Darling Street.
- Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, 143 Wellington Street: emergency food, clothing and furniture.
- Gihekdagye Friendship Centre, 274 Colborne Street: housing help and other supports for the urban Indigenous community, at 519-304-7400.
- Brantford Public Library: a Social Service Outreach Worker at the Main Branch who helps with forms, ID and finding resources.
The City also keeps a calendar of free community meals. Our guide to free food in Brantford (opens in a new tab) lists more places to eat.
Support for Indigenous community members
Gihekdagye Friendship Centre at 274 Colborne Street supports the urban Indigenous community with housing applications, advocacy and help finding a place to live, as well as help getting ID, training and work. It also offers snack bags and free clothing donations.
The City lists outreach support on Tuesday afternoons and Reaching Home drop-ins on Fridays, 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., where people can ask housing questions and get help with applications and housing searches.
How to help someone who is homeless
If you see someone outside in the cold who seems to need help, ask if they are okay and whether they would like you to call SOAR at 1-888-621-0034. If they seem confused, unwell or in danger, call 911.
Warm clothing helps too. Our guide on how to make blessing bags (opens in a new tab) shows how to put together small care kits to hand out.
A hot meal on Grey Street
Friendship House at 452 Grey Street serves coffee, tea and a light breakfast from 8 a.m. and a hot meal Monday to Thursday, 10 to 11 a.m. If you need warm clothes, our Clothing Closet (opens in a new tab) offers free clothing, Tuesday to Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m.; what we have depends on donations.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call for emergency shelter in Brantford?
SOAR Community Services Emergency Shelter Intake, at 1-888-621-0034 or 519-759-1290. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Where is SOAR’s emergency shelter intake?
At 73 Murray Street in Brantford. In-person hours are shorter than phone hours, so call ahead if you can.
Is there a warming centre in Brantford?
The Brantford Blessing Centre runs a warming location at 7 Burnley Avenue from November 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where can I go during an extreme cold alert?
The City lists Rosewood House at 42 Nelson Street, and the Salvation Army Booth Centre at 187 Dalhousie Street for adult men who need accessible space.
Where can I shower and do laundry?
SOAR’s Housing Resource Centre at 73 Murray Street offers showers and laundry Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No one should have to face a cold night alone. Make the call, and come to Friendship House for free meals and support (opens in a new tab).
