A major expansion at Stepping Stone’s emergency shelter and transitional housing facility in downtown Guelph is now complete.

On Friday, Chris White, warden of the County of Wellington, Cam Guthrie, mayor of Guelph, Dominique O’Rourke, MP for Guelph and Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph, joined Stepping Stone to officially open the expanded 23 Gordon St. shelter, adding 24 emergency shelter beds and 12 new transitional housing units with supports.

“This expanded facility will be instrumental in supporting the health and well-being of those currently experiencing homelessness,” said Perrin Valli, executive director of Stepping Stone.

Dave Purdy, director of housing services at the County of Wellington, said the expansion will strengthen the local shelter system and that the 12 transitional housing units offer “a critical pathway from an emergency shelter situation to a permanent housing solution.”

Transitional housing provides longer-term accommodation combined with individualized, housing-focused supports, including financial planning and referrals to community services.

Purdy described it as “an opportunity to provide that safe shelter with supports,” aimed at helping residents move toward housing stability and avoid returning to homelessness.

The expansion was supported by $2.6 million from the federal government’s Affordable Housing Fund.

“The official opening of 23 Gordon St. is one of many examples here in Guelph of our government’s strong commitment to ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens have a safe and stable environment to call home,” said Dominique O’Rourke, MP for Guelph.

Purdy said transitional housing plays an essential role in combating the homelessness crisis. He said facilities like Stepping Stone’s on 23 Gordon St. offer a long-term solution.

“These are the meaningful supports needed to move from homelessness to housing stability, with the ultimate goal of preventing households or individuals from returning to homelessness in the future,” he said.