The City of Toronto is partnering with community agencies to connect residents to resources, services, programs, and support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about the City’s Community Coordination Plan, how the City and United Way are working with community agencies to better serve residents and what has been accomplished since March, please see the Community Partnerships Initiatives below.
Check back often for updates and learn about opportunities to help in your community.
Residents who need to access, or are seeking information on, social and community supports and services, should call 211 for non-emergency requests and information.
211 is a 24/7 help line and web service that connects residents to social and community services.
211 is working closely with community agencies to ensure they are continually updating their database with the most up-to-date programming and resource information.
The Community Coordination Plan is a community response initiative that was developed by the United Way Greater Toronto and City of Toronto in 2020.
The Community Coordination Plan aims to ensure there is coordination and communication between City of Toronto, United Way, and community organizations. Ten geographic clusters and three non-geographic clusters (Indigenous-serving agencies cluster, city-wide agencies cluster, and the Black Resilience cluster) have been established.
The Community Coordination Plan is designed to be agile and iterative to the urgent needs of vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each cluster is led by a team of three Cluster Coordinators who convene and support community organizations that are responding to the emerging needs of vulnerable people. Cluster Coordinators also work with local Councillors’ offices to respond to urgent issues.
Some issues can be resolved at the community cluster level, such as donation matching or information on physical distancing guidelines. Other issues that are more structural or systemic in nature, may be escalated through City of Toronto channels to City task groups or the Emergency Operations Centre. Examples include issues related to homeless shelters or broader food security issues.
On June 23 and October 20 the City announced that $4.97 million and $1.9 million will be distributed from the TO Supports Investment Fund to community-based agencies supporting vulnerable populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Fair Pass Transit Discount is the City’s poverty reduction initiative to make public transit more affordable for low-income Toronto residents. To find out if you are eligible and apply.
Residents in immediate need of food can call 211 for information on food program availability or view a map of local food service providers on the 211 website.
The City of Toronto is working closely with community and corporate partners to identify where the greatest needs are and how best to ensure that food needs of vulnerable Torontonians are being met.
The City has developed a food access strategy that includes the establishment of a committee consisting of large-scale community groups that works to identify ways to prevent food banks from being closed, support those that are running, and troubleshoot issues as they arise. Members of the group include:
The group is actively working on multiple food access programs, including:
The City is working with the Red Cross and other partners to provide food hamper delivery to seniors and others in need who are unable to leave their homes.
This service is made available for qualifying seniors and others that are in self-isolation who do not have alternative access to food (through family, friends, availability of food delivery services) and are currently not receiving such assistance from another community food program.
Call 1-833-204-9952 for eligibility and registration information.
There are food banks located throughout the city. Call 211 for a list of the locations and hours of operation.
The best source for up-to-date information on food program availability is 211toronto.ca. The food listings are updated daily as information is received from providers. Residents can call 211 directly, or view the map on the 211 website.
The City is working to connect offers of free services and other resources, such as free hot meals and delivery, free spaces and equipment, to agencies and communities that need them.
The City is providing support for the Toronto Aboriginal and Support Services Council to coordinate food access for Indigenous communities that are facing similar challenges created by the COVID-19 response, including increased access to food and financial support.
Residents and businesses looking to donate in support of food security, can visit COVID-19: DonateTO for more information.
The City of Toronto has partnered with technology and telecommunications companies to provide free temporary internet access for low-income neighbourhoods, long-term care homes and shelters.
Learn about the Free Wi-Fi Pilot Project that is bringing free internet to 25 large residential apartment buildings in low-income neighbourhoods for one year.
In partnership with the Toronto Public Library, the City of Toronto provided temporary Wi-Fi access in parks as part of the Wi-Fi on Wheels pilot project. from August 4 to 8. The Wi-Fi-enabled Bookmobile visited Masseygrove Park and Edgeley Park connecting visitors to free Wi-Fi between noon and 6:30 p.m.
The City of Toronto is providing free Wi-Fi access throughout all 10 City-operated long-term care homes. Previously, it was only available in common areas. These new Wi-Fi hot spots will allow residents to stay connected to friends and family.
Learn more about service changes in City-operated Long-Term Care Homes.
Rogers is donating free Wi-Fi for three months to four permanent City of Toronto shelter locations as of April 2020. Free Rogers Wi-Fi has also been installed in five temporary shelter locations, to help facilitate physical distancing.
People experiencing homelessness often rely on public Wi-Fi to access online supports and services and stay connected with loved ones. With the closure of most public Wi-Fi locations, including libraries, malls and restaurants, many vulnerable people no longer have access to the vital supports they need. Wi-Fi at these shelter sites will help to bridge this gap and support people to maintain physical distancing and isolation during the pandemic period.
Learn more about what the City is doing to support those experiencing homelessness.
For your protection, Toronto Public Health recommends that if you are over 70 years of age, have a weak immune system or a medical condition, limit your trips to public places.
Read more health advice for seniors that may prevent COVID-19 infection.
Read more about What Seniors Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccinations.
Families and friends can stay in touch by calling, video-conferencing, sending an e-card, email or letter.
Call 211 Ontario at any time (in 150+ languages) or the Toronto Seniors Helpline (416-217-2077) to be referred to support services for seniors, including:
Call your Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) at 310-2222 (no area code) to apply for government-funded health and personal support services and long-term care homes.
The Seniors Safety Line can also assist in cases of elder abuse, isolation, anxiety or depression: 1-866-299-1011
For City-run services (such as garbage and libraries), call 311 or visit the Changes to City Services web page for updates.
It is important to be aware of potential scams and fraud, for example people offering to buy groceries and asking for your credit card details. Call 211 for a referral to a legitimate food service. Report fraud to the police online or by calling 416-808-2222.
Many pharmacies/drug stores will deliver prescriptions (and in some cases, over-the-counter medicines and supplies) to your home. To arrange prescription delivery, call your local pharmacy. Refer to the label on your current medication for the pharmacy’s phone number.
If your pharmacy does not offer delivery, call 211 or the Toronto Seniors Helpline (416-217-2077) to be connected with a community agency that offers delivery of prescriptions, medications and essentials such as incontinence supplies.
Pet owners may be eligible for financial assistance when ordering pet food and supplies.
If you need mental health support, call 211 (available 24/7 in many languages). You will be connected to one of the City’s mental health service provider partners for direct phone support. These mental health support services are free to all Toronto residents, and include culturally responsive supports.There are also many volunteer phone lines who offer phone-call check-ins and friendly conversation with seniors who are feeling lonely and need someone to talk to. Call 211 or the Toronto Seniors Helpline (416-217-2077) for referral to one of these free phone call services.
Also get tips for coping with stress and find other resources.
Keeping active and learning new things is good for mental health. Learn about free virtual and phone call activities, including activities designed specifically for seniors, as well as volunteering opportunities.
Learn about support and updates for tenants and property owners, including the Toronto Rent Bank and Housing Stabilization Fund, that may help with rental or energy arrears
Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) has increased measures to support senior tenants.
Visit the City’s Income Support page to learn more about different forms of Income support, including the Hardship Fund for medical/health expenses, and links to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
The Provincial and Federal Government have also announced programs to support seniors.
If you are experiencing homelessness, call the City’s Central Intake Line at:
You will be asked about your current health and recent travel history and then referred to available shelter, respite site or isolation site. For more information about the locations of shelters or respite sites, visit the Homeless Help web page.
The City has opened some City-operated facilities with showers, washrooms, and drinking water for individuals experiencing homelessness. Find out where they are located and when they are open.
Learn how community partners and operators are preventing the spread of COVID-19 and changes to current shelter operations.
In March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, the City began taking action to support vulnerable residents, families and communities under its guiding framework, TO Supports: COVID-19 Equity Action Plan. This work is constantly evolving and improving in light of new information, new partnerships, and new public health conditions.
The targeted COVID-19 enhanced equity measures announced by the City of Toronto on November 23, 2020 builds on the work started in March and implemented throughout the pandemic, and will include:
Existing actions mobilized early in the pandemic as part of the broader TO Supports: COVID-19 Equity Action Plan include:
Based on data, a set of targeted COVID-19 enhanced equity measures will be refined for the northwest and northeast areas of Toronto.
These targeted COVID-19 enhanced equity measures are scalable and can pivot to different neighbourhoods as required, based on findings from the data.
The City is collaborating with community and health services partners, residents and employers in hotspot areas to share public health information, improve access to COVID-19 testing, and provide critical supports to individuals who test positive.
Partners: Ontario Health/LHIN
Partners: Community Agencies
Partners: Ontario Government & Government of Canada
(To be implemented in the future)
Partners: Community Agencies
The City will work with the Province of Ontario to monitor the capacity and resident take-up of testing of COVID19-testing sites.
A range of strong community agencies have been selected through the Community Coordination Clusters to partner with the City on implementing the targeted COVID-19 enhanced equity measures.
The community partners are based in the targeted neighbourhoods and trusted among newcomers, BIPOC, youth, and other population groups to which we are targeting support.