Following a conference held at Sheridan College in Oakville in November 1977, a steering committee was formed and through a federal grant, a feasibility study was completed. This study indicated that there was a need for a shelter in Halton. As a result, Halton Women's Place became incorporated in November 1978 as a voluntary charitable organization.

A suitable residence was found in Milton and purchased from the Region of Halton in July 1980 with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation insurance backing. With assistance from volunteers across Halton, the shelter was opened in October 1980.

In the first two years of operation more than 500 women and children were accommodated and over 700 crisis calls were received.

In 1989, as a result of a bequest from the estate of Margery Ilene MacDowell, a committee was formed to look at the shelter needs in Halton. Together with the Halton Social Planning Council, a feasibility study was again undertaken. The results indicated a need for a second shelter in the southern part of the Region. A site search was initiated, a budget was established and a search for further funds was started. In January 1994, with funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Rotary Clubs of Milton, Oakville and Burlington, and other private and corporate donations, a second shelter located in Burlington was opened.

From the day it opened the second shelter has been running at near capacity and we are now responding to more than 2000 crisis calls a year.

It soon became evident that there was a need for Halton Women's Place to replace the shelter in Milton and to expand the Burlington shelter to accommodate 30 beds.

The Milton shelter was not only overcrowded, it was a dilapidated, non-accessible, single-family dwelling that did not inspire a sense of safety and security. The services offered in Burlington had been curtailed due to lack of space.

Many community groups work in partnership with Halton Women's Place to deliver services. Without adequate meeting facilities, these essential services could not be carried out.

On February 20, 2002, government officials, members of the business community and the public gathered for the announcement of the groundbreaking at Halton Women's Place in Milton.

This new facility will service North Halton and is the sister facility to the one in Burlington serving South Halton.

In April 2002 the capital projects of the new Milton shelter and the expansion of the Burlington shelter began. Construction was completed and the new 20-bed Milton shelter was opened to serve abused women and their dependent children in January 2003. The expansion on the Burlington shelter was also completed and opened in December 2002.

Major funding came from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and our community partners, Mattamy Homes Ltd., The Aggregate Group of Halton, Rotary Clubs of Halton and The Ontario Trillium Foundation.