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 416-699-6682

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 416-535-8501
  
  
• The Dual Diagnosis Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a program for people with a developmental disability and emotional, behavioural or psychiatric difficulties, their families and care providers.
  
  
• Habitat Services Program
  Affordable housing for people with mental health issues. 416-537-2721.
  
  
• 211 Toronto Mental Health Services
  

• 211 Toronto Housing pages
  
  
• CAMH 2004-2006 Housing Guide
  
  
• 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

• Social Assistance, Pension and Tax Credit Rates
  A brochure listing current rates
  
  
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
  A contributory, earnings-related social insurance program.
  
  
• Employment Insurance (EI)
  Provides temporary financial assistance for unemployed Canadians.
  
  
• The Old Age Security (OAS)
  Provides you with 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. Income Security Call Centre 1-800-277-9914.
  
  
• Ontario Works (OW)
  Social assistance delivered by Toronto Social Services. For office locations and contact information, download their Offices Map (pdf). For social assistance rates, please see the Ontario Works Rate Table
  
  
• The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
  For people with disabilities who are in financial need. ODSP is delivered by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
  
  
• Canada Child Tax Benefit
  The Canada Child Tax Benefit is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help them with the cost of raising children under age 18.
  
  
• Ontario Child Benefit 1-800-263-7965
  
  
• Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
  The Guaranteed Income Supplement provides additional money, on top of the Old Age Security pension, to low-income seniors living in Canada. 1 800 277-9914.
  

Seniors

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

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 60 locations, including 10 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
To make an inquiry or get information about shelter services, please call Hostel Services' general line at 416-392-8741.

Concerns/Complaints
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 Client Services Supervisor at 416-397-1463. The Client Services Supervisor will assist you in accessing the shelter's internal complaints processes to address your concerns.

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
The Assessment and Referral Centre, 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 Assessment and Referral Centre is temporarily located at 67 Adelaide Street East. The Assessment and Referral Centre will be permanently located at 129 Peter Street, which is currently under renovation. 416-338-4766.

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

Street Outreach
Across the entire City, seven days a week, 365 days a year, street outreach workers from community-based services and the City's Streets to Homes unit help homeless people living outside get a safer place to sleep and find long-term housing. To access street outreach services, call Street Helpline at 1-866-392-3777.

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
  Provides interest-free loans to eligible tenants who are in rent arrears and facing eviction. 416-924-2543.
  
  
• The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation Can help you fight housing discrimination. Call 416-944-0087 or
  1-800-263-1139.
  
  
• Complaints about the property standards in your rental housing?
  
  
• Search by-law violations history for rental apartments
  
  
• Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations
  To get answers to just about any question you have about rental housing. 416-921-9494.
  
  
• Services for Tenants and Landlords brochure (PDF)
  
  
• Investigation and Enforcement Unit of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs
  Responds to complaints from landlords or tenants about alleged offences under the new Residential Tenancies Act 2006.  Call 1-888-772-9277 or 416-585-7214.
  

Residential Tenancies Act (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