Homelessness hub in Leamington expanding to offer overnight services
Leamington mayor says ‘homelessness is no longer just a big city problem’

The Essex County Homelessness Hub (ECH2) in Leamington will now offer overnight services, the County of Essex announced.
The ECH2 will offer a safe place for people every night from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., seven days a week, starting July 21, and running through to March 2026, the county announced in a Friday news release.
Warden Hilda MacDonald, also the mayor of Leamington, says the "expansion reflects Essex County council's ongoing commitment to services and community partnerships that prioritize the health and well-being of some of the county's most vulnerable residents."
"The need is great and growing and we are committed to meeting that need," MacDonald added.
According to the mayor, "homelessness is no longer just a big city problem," and the Essex County Homelessness Hub is an important pillar of the county's response to homelessness in the region.
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According to the release, the initiative builds on the previous warming centre model, which offered a similar service starting in December of 2024 and ending in March of 2025.
From December 2024 through the end of March, the ECH2 overnight service recorded 918 visits, with a peak of 37 unique individuals in a single week in February 2025. During the same period, daytime services at the ECH2 supported 245 unique individuals and logged 4,715 visits.
Overnight program 'an essential resource'
ECH2 is operated by Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE).
"Our partnership with the County of Essex enables us to respond to a critical need in our community," said Bryan Rock, community programs manager at FSWE.
"The overnight program is an essential resource for rural residents experiencing homelessness, offering not only immediate shelter but also a compassionate connection to support."
Rock said FSWE is committed to supporting individuals as they navigate services and build pathways toward stable housing and improved overall well-being.
The ECH2 will continue to operate daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, offering a range of wraparound supports including housing navigation, replacing identification, assistance accessing income support programs, harm reduction resources, eviction prevention, and access to food, clothing, and hygiene items.