Emergency Shelter
The Emergency Mat Program provides individual adults experiencing homelessness with a safe, welcoming place to stay overnight.
Guests can access a sleeping space, basic necessities and connection to additional support. You do not need a referral, appointment or complete plan before reaching out.
With consistent, year-round funding, we’ve been able to expand our services beyond emergency shelter. Guests now have access to warm showers and laundry facilities, offering the comfort of personal hygiene, which is often inaccessible for those experiencing homelessness.
7 pm - 7 am Every Night
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, experiencing a medical emergency, or requires urgent police, fire, or ambulance assistance, please call 911 immediately.
Cold Lake John Howard Society is not an emergency response service.
About the Emergency Mat Program
Everyone’s experience of homelessness is different. Some people may need shelter for one night, while others may need ongoing support as they work toward greater safety and stability.
Our Emergency Mat Program provides short-term, overnight accommodation in a respectful, non-judgmental environment. Staff are available to explain the shelter process, respond to immediate needs and help guests explore other services when they are ready.
The shelter is low-barrier and recovery-oriented. A person does not need to be participating in treatment or recovery services to ask for shelter.
Alcohol or other substances cannot be consumed on shelter property, and guests must be able to safely remain in the shared environment.
Who Can Access the Shelter?
The Emergency Mat Program is intended for individual adults aged 18 and older who are experiencing homelessness and require a safe place to stay overnight.
A referral is not required. You may come directly to the shelter during operating hours.
Access depends on:
-
Available sleeping spaces
-
Current staffing and capacity
-
The shelter’s ability to safely meet your needs
-
Your ability to remain safely within a shared shelter environment
-
Compliance with essential health and safety expectations
Eligibility does not guarantee that a space will be available each night.
Because the shelter is designed and funded to serve individual adults, we cannot accommodate children, youth under 18 or families with dependent children. Staff may still be able to provide information or system navigation to help identify other possible supports.
Bed Availability
Beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis each evening. A referral, previous stay or advance phone call does not reserve a bed, and availability may change from night to night.
The shelter has two beds in each room, with sleeping spaces separated by gender to support privacy, comfort and safety. Staff will explain the available room arrangements during intake.
Guests are encouraged to speak privately with staff about any safety, privacy, accessibility or accommodation needs. While we cannot guarantee that every request can be met, staff will work with each person to explore the safest and most appropriate available option.
Shared Safety Expectations
The shelter is a shared environment.
Our expectations are intended to support the safety, dignity and well-being of guests, staff and volunteers.
Guests are asked to:
-
Treat others with dignity and respect
-
Avoid violence, threats, harassment and intimidation
-
Respect the privacy, space and belongings of others
-
Follow essential health and safety directions
-
Avoid bringing weapons or other prohibited items into the shelter
-
Avoid consuming alcohol or other substances on shelter property
-
Use the space in a way that does not place others at immediate risk
Staff will clearly explain shelter expectations during intake. Whenever possible, concerns will be addressed through respectful conversation and problem-solving.
Substance use does not automatically prevent someone from asking for shelter.
Our shelter follows a low-barrier, harm-reduction-informed approach. Guests are not required to be abstinent or enrolled in treatment. However, substances cannot be used or consumed on shelter property.
A person must also be able to remain safely in the shared environment without requiring medical monitoring or placing themselves or others at immediate risk.
When someone requires urgent medical attention, withdrawal management, detoxification or another level of care, staff may help identify a more appropriate healthcare or recovery service.
". . . I previously stayed at Cold Lake John Howard, the ladies and gentlemen who worked there treated me so good and treat everyone with respected. Now I have a home and a job but they took care of me and I am very thankful "