Homemakers & Nurses Services

The Homemakers and Nurses Services Program (HMNS) is a community-based service operated by the City of Toronto. It provides homemaking services through community agency contracts to individuals who require assistance with household activities and who have limited financial resources.

Services include:

  • light housekeeping
  • laundry
  • shopping
  • meal preparation

Program eligibility:

  • 18 years of age or over (priority is given to applicants who are seniors)
  • Must be a resident of the City of Toronto
  • Physically disabled, developmentally disabled, convalescing or ill, AND unable to perform household activities due to functional deficits
  • limited income and limited liquid assets
  • stable medical and/or mental health status, are compliant with a medically recommended treatment plan
  • live in a self-contained unit* within the City of Toronto (*self-contained unit excludes a rooming house, shelter, transitional housing, retirement home, etc.)
  • cognitively intact and able to direct the services of the homemaker and manage the service schedule
  • live in a home that does not pose an environmental risk to service providers (i.e. infestation, severe clutter, state of disrepair, etc.)
  • unable to access homemaking assistance through other formal or informal supports

Applicants must also undergo a financial assessment, including income and liquid assets, in order to determine eligibility for service.

Step 1

Contact the Intake Caseworker at 416-392-8579 who will explain the program and requirements for eligibility.

Step 2

If you wish to proceed, the Intake Caseworker will complete a telephone screening with you to determine if you are eligible for the program.

If you are eligible, the Intake Caseworker will refer you to a Program Caseworker to:

  • complete a financial and functional assessment
  • review your rights and responsibilities
  • develop a plan of service with you
  • answer any questions you may have

After this visit, the caseworker will then seek approval for your subsidy and service.

Step 3

If your subsidy and service are approved, you will receive a copy of your rights and responsibilities. This is a letter that verifies your eligibility and confirms the name of the agency that will be providing service to you, as well as what service will be provided.

Step 4

The caseworker will discuss your service needs with the agency providing service to you, and will work together with the agency on an ongoing basis.

The agency will contact you to schedule the homemaker at a mutually convenient time and day.

The caseworker and agency staff will contact and visit with you to reassess your homemaking needs on a regular basis.

The HMNS program is funded by the City of Toronto and the Province of Ontario.