A Group Home provides supervised living accommodation, for up to ten people, exclusive of staff. Group homes are operated primarily for people who are on probation, released on parole or admitted for correctional purposes, and living together as a single housekeeping unit.
These homes are licensed or funded under provincial or federal legislation. In Ontario, operators of adult and children group homes need to obtain their licence from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.
In Toronto, group homes in Etobicoke, York and Scarborough District also need a certificate from the City to operate.
Opening a group home
Before opening a group home, you need to consult with Toronto Building Customer Service staff, to make arrangements for a Zoning Applicable Law Certificate, to ensure that group homes are permitted in your area. If the group home is permitted in your area, you will be referred to the City’s Multi-Tenant Houses Team to apply for a group home certificate. This will involve inspections from Municipal Licensing & Standards and/or Public Health and Fire Services.
Group home bylaws
The regulations surrounding group homes in Toronto vary from district to district and are determined by the zoning regulations in a neighbourhood. If you suspect an illegal group home (or multi-tenant house) in your neighbourhood and you wish to file a complaint, contact 311 to submit a service request for an investigation by Municipal Licensing & Standards.
Group home list
The City does not publish a list of group homes but a request can be made to the Access & Privacy Office.
Correctional group homes
The agency/applicant who is requesting the registration for a Correctional Group Home is required to advise the neighbourhood of their intent to operate a Correctional Group Home. The information is generally drafted in a letter by the agency and mailed out to the neighbours.
Renewal of a group home licence
Operators of group homes for adults and youth should contact the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to renew their licence.
To renew the City certificate, you should contact the Multi-Tenant Houses Team and staff will make arrangements for the necessary Municipal Licensing & Standards, Public Health and/or Fire Services Inspections.