Are you being abused?
Information about shelters and services for victims of violence

Mental health
If you are in crisis

Do you need shelter?
List of shelters

Abuse

• Assaulted Women's Helpline
  416-863-0511 or 1-866-863-0511
• Shelternet 416-642-5463
• 211 Toronto Abuse and Sexual Abuse services
• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868
• Legal Aid Ontario  416-662-7832
• Ministry of the Attorney General
   416–326–2220 or 1–800–518–7901
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre 416-597-8808

Drop-ins

Over 40 drop-in centres across Toronto provide basic services such as food and showers as well as help to find housing and access shelters. For a list of drop-in centres and contact information, see Toronto Drop-in Network Information brochure (PDF).

Out of the Cold 416-699-OOTC (6682)

Employment & Training

• Ontario Works employment programs
  
  
• The 211 Toronto Employment Programs page
  
  
• Service Canada's Services for Individuals
  
  
• Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  1-800-387-5656

Food

• Daily Bread Food Bank 416-203-0050
  To access food please call the Daily Bread Food Bank will refer you to a neighbourhood food bank in your area.
  
  
  
• 211 Toronto Food Information page
  Information about free or low-cost meals for seniors or people who are on low incomes, unemployed or homeless.

Health & Mental Health

Health

• Aids and Sexual Health Information
  416-392-2437 or 1-800-668-2437
  
Call to speak to a counsellor or to locate a nearby sexual health clinic.


• Community Health Centres 1-866-532-3161
  To find the centre nearest, call the INFOline or see Health Services in Your Community
  
  
• Find a Family Doctor
  
  
• Sherbourne Health Bus 416-324-4170 or 416-881-3300 (mobile)
  
  
• Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART)
  1-800-565-8603
  For information about drug and alcohol treatment services in Ontario.
  
  
• The Works 416-392-0520
  Toronto Public Health's needle exchange program also provides testing and immunization, condoms, methadone maintenance and referrals to other services.
  
  
• Street Health 416-921-8668
  
  
• 211 Toronto Health Services
  
  
• Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000
  A free confidential telephone service for general health information or advice from a registered nurse. No health card required.

Mental health services

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 416-535-8501



• ConnexOntario Health Services Information Mental Health Service Ontario 1-866-531-2600
  information and referral service providing detailed info on mental health services and supports.
  
  
• The Dual Diagnosis Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 416-535-8501, ext. 7809
  A program for people with a developmental disability, emotional, behavioural or psychiatric difficulties, their families and care providers.
  
  
• Habitat Services Program 416-537-2721
  Affordable housing for people with mental health issues.
  
  
• 211 Toronto Mental Health Services
  

Mental health information

• CRCT "Making Choices"
  (Canadian Resource Connections in Toronto)
  A comprehensive guide to mental health services, supports and resources in the City of Toronto.
  
  
• Concurrent Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders: An Information Guide
  This guide is for people with concurrent disorders and their families, or for anyone who wants basic information about concurrent disorders, their treatment and their management.
  

Housing

• 211 Toronto Housing pages
  
  
• CAMH 2004-2006 Housing Guide
  The guide lists housing options and resources for clients of mental health and substance use services. It is intended to help workers, clients and family members find appropriate housing in the community.
  
  
• Housing Help Centres: for a list of housing help centres see page 39 of our Guide to Services for People who are Homeless.
  
  
• Housing Connections 416-981-6111

• Tenant & Landlord Resources
• Social Housing
• Affordable Housing
• Housing portal

Immigrants & Refugees

• Settlement.org
  Information about settling in Ontario.
  
  
• 211 Toronto Settlement and Newcomer Services
  
  
• City of Toronto Immigration Portal
  
  
• Red Cross
  
  
• Services for Refugee Claimants arriving in Toronto (PDF)

Income

• Canada Child Tax Benefit 1-800-387-1193
  The Canada Child Tax Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help cover the cost of raising children under age 18.
  
  
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) 1-800-277-9914
  A contributory, earnings-related social insurance program.
  
  
• Employment Insurance (EI) 1-800-206-7218
  Provides temporary financial assistance for unemployed Canadians.
  
  
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) 1-800-277-9914
  The Guaranteed Income Supplement provides additional money, on top of the Old Age Security pension, to low-income seniors living in Canada.
  
  
• Old Age Security (OAS) 1-800-277-9914
  Provides a modest pension at age 65 if you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years. If you are a low-income senior, you may be eligible for other benefits as early as age 60.
  
  
• Ontario Works (OW) 416-392-2956 (Toronto)
  If you require social assistance, please contact a Toronto Social Services office. For social assistance rates, please see the Ontario Works Rate Table
  
  
• The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
  1-800-808-2268
  For people with disabilities who are in financial need. ODSP is delivered by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
  
  
• Ontario Child Benefit 1-800-821-7770
  The Ontario Child Benefit is a provincial program that helps low-income families provide for their children under age 18.
  
  
• Social Assistance, Pension and Tax Credit Rates
  A brochure listing current rates.
  

Seniors

• Advocacy Centre for the Elderly 416-598-2656
  
  
• Toronto Seniors Portal
  
  
• 211Toronto Seniors

Shelters

Does your family need help to stay in your home?

Contact your nearest Housing Help Centre. See the Guide to Services for People who are Homeless for a list.

Together, the City and dozens of community partners provide about 3,800 permanent shelter beds for men, women, families, couples, and youth in over 57 locations, including nine operated by the City. Meals and basic necessities are provided in a secure environment as well as case management, counselling and support programs. For more detailed information, see the Guide to Services for People who are Homeless or visit Toronto Hostel Services.

General Inquiry 416-392-8741
To make an inquiry or get information about shelter services, please call Hostel Services' general line.

Concerns/Complaints 416-392-8741
If your shelter worker is unable to help you with your concerns or complaints, or you want to appeal a decision by your shelter provider, you may contact the Hostel Services. Your call will be directed to the appropriate Agency Review Officer.

Hostel Services is committed to ensuring that all complaints are taken seriously and investigated to ensure that the needs of all individuals using shelter services are met in accordance with Toronto Shelter Standards.

Assessment and Referral Centre (ARC)
416-338-4766 or 1-877-338-3398
The Assessment and Referral Centre (ARC), which is open from 8:30 pm to 7:30 am, provides a welcoming and safe place for people deciding to leave the streets or looking for shelter. Their referral line operates 24 hours a day and can help single adults, couples and youth access shelter. The ARC is temporarily located at 67 Adelaide Street East. It will be permanently located at 129 Peter Street, which is currently under renovation.

Central Family Intake (CFI) 416-397-5637
A central referral service for families who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

Streets to Homes 416-392-0090
Streets to Homes coordinates mobile street outreach services in the downtown core and throughout the city.

Tenants & Landlords

• Welcome Home, a guide to services for new tenants
  
  
• Housing Help Centres
  Help to find affordable housing, keep the housing you have and answer questions about rental housing. For a list of housing help centres see page 39 of our Guide to Services for People who are Homeless.
  
  
• Rent Bank 416-924-2543
  Provides interest-free loans to eligible tenants who are in rent arrears and facing eviction.
  
  
• The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation 416-944-0087 or 1-800-263-1139
  Helps fight housing discrimination.
  
  
• Complaints about the property standards in your rental housing
  
  
• Search by-law violations history for rental apartments
  
  
• Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations 416-921-9494
  Get answers to just about any question you have about rental housing.
  
  
• Services for Tenants and Landlords brochure (PDF)
  
  
• Investigation and Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs 416-585-7214 or 1-888-772-9277
  Responds to complaints from landlords or tenants about alleged offences under the new Residential Tenancies Act 2006. 
  

Residential Tenancies Act is the law that governs landlord and tenant relations in Ontario.

• Download the Residential Tenancies Act
  
  
• Landlord and Tenant Board
  
  
• Electricity and Tenants

Youth

• 211 Community Information Toronto Youth Services
  
  
• Youth Drop-ins - see the Toronto Drop-in Network brochure on pages 13-28 of our Guide to Services for People who are Homeless.