Shelter Support and Housing Administration
2013 Guide to Services
for people who are homeless
Welcome to the seventh edition of the Guide to Services from Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division. It lists many of the services that can assist people experiencing homelessness in Toronto.
Services supporting tenants can be found in our Welcome Home guide. If the information you are looking for is not in either guide, please contact 311 for City services or 211 for community-based services.
We welcome your feedback. If you have comments or questions about either of our guides please contact us at ssha@toronto.ca or 416-397-4328.
Important note
Although all efforts are made to ensure the information in this guide is accurate, please call ahead to verify times of operation and other important details.
Crisis/emergency information
Dial 9-1-1 for all emergencies (police, fire, ambulance)
Crisis Lines
Anishnawbe Health Mental Health Crisis Line
(Aboriginal clients)
416-891-8606
Assaulted Women's Helpline
416-863-0511; Toll Free 1-866-863-0511
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
416-535-8501 ext. 6885
Distress Centres of Toronto
416-408-HELP (4357)
Gerstein Crisis Centre
416-929-5200
Kids Help Phone
Toll Free 1-800-668-6868
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre
416-597-8808
Seniors Crisis Access Line
416-619-5001 (Mon-Fri 10am-9:30pm,
Sat-Sun 10am-6pm)
Emergency Shelter
Central Intake
311; 416-338-4766; Toll Free 1-877-338-3398
Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre
(129 Peter Street)
416-392-0090
Walk in referral to emergency shelter and street respite.
Quick reference
211 Community Information
Dial 2-1-1 for information on community, social, health and government services or go online at www.211toronto.ca.
311 Toronto
TTY 416-338-0TTY (0889) www.toronto.ca/311
Dial 3-1-1 for non-emergency City services, programs and information.
Applying for Housing
Housing Connections 416-981-6111 Streets to Homes Assessment and Referral Centre 416-392-0090 (for street-involved clients)
Food Banks
Daily Bread Food Bank: 416-203-0050
Call for a referral to a member food bank near you.
Call 211 for information on other food banks and food programs.
Government of Ontario
General Inquiry 416-326-1234
Toll Free 1-800-267-8097
TTY 416-325-3408
TTY Toll Free 1-800-268-7095 www.ontario.ca
Information on provincial services, including health services and income assistance.
Service Canada
Toll Free 1-800-622-6232
TTY Toll Free 1-800-926-9105 www.servicecanada.gc.ca
Information on Government of Canada services.
Telehealth Ontario
Toll Free 1-866-797-0000
TTY 1-866-797-0007
A free, confidential telephone service for general health information or advice from a registered nurse.
Callers do not need a health card.
Toronto Police Services
Non-emergency number 416-808-2222 TTY 416-467-0493
Special Victims Unit 416-456-7259
Bad Date Hotline 416-808-00000 www.torontopolice.on.ca
Toronto Transit Commission
416-393-4636
www.toronto.ca/ttc
Information on bus and subway fares, routes and schedules.
TTC Wheeltrans
Trip Reservations 416-393-4222
RideLine Automated Touch Tone Service
416-397-8000
Priority Line 416-393-4311
TTY Service 416-393-4555
Customer Service and Wheel-Trans Registration: weekdays from 8 am-4 pm, call 416-393-4111 or email wheeltrans.customerservice@ttc.ca.
Veteran Affairs Canada
Toll Free 1-800-268-7708
TTD/TTY 1-800-567-5803
VAC Assistance Service can help with difficulties arising from the transition from military to civilian life, including marital problems, financial difficulty, housing and homelessness, trauma and substance abuse.