Housing Access is one of several grant programs the City of Toronto provides for non-profit, community-based organizations to provide a variety of housing supports and homelessness services to residents. Projects are selected to receive grant funding from the City’s Housing Secretariat after a comprehensive review process using a standardized methodology to ensure all projects meet the defined service criteria for the funding program, known as the Service Delivery Requirements.
Housing Access projects support individuals and households who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness by helping them find and maintain housing. Services are aligned with the City’s Housing First approach by prioritizing the finding of housing that meets each client’s needs.
The following projects have been selected to deliver Housing Access services for the funding term of April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028.
If you are interested in learning more about the services that will be offered, please contact the organizations above directly.
Housing Access Service Delivery Requirements
The following Service Delivery Requirements are essential for Housing Access programs to address the diverse needs of clients and tailor services to better assist vulnerable clients secure and maintain housing.
- Provide non-judgmental, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive services rooted in harm reduction and Housing First approaches. This support must include the availability of in person services.
- Provide brief, responsive and person-centered services that meet each person’s unique situation while providing individualized and flexible support plans tailored to each tenant’s housing stability needs.
- Assist people to find appropriate housing by conducting housing searches, applying for different types of housing (including market rent) and providing support and guidance when filling out necessary housing and income related applications.
- Support applicants with registering, completing, updating and maintaining applications and participating in the choice-based process. Help people to navigate the MyAccesstoHousingTO portal and the new Choice Based process for RGI housing both individually and through facilitated workshops and sessions.
- Act as a Local Access Centre supporting the administration of City of Toronto funded programs Rent Bank and the Emergency Energy Fund (EEF) by supporting Toronto renters through the application process and participating in the Operations Committee for programs as required. This work includes:
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- receiving and processing a minimum number of Rent Bank applications per FTE per year, as mutually determined through consultation with the City and the Lead Organization;
- collaborating with the Lead Organization and other Local Access Centers to identify solutions to ensure the Rent Bank and/or EEF programs can meet demand throughout the year, including holiday periods;
- conducting intake assessments to determine eligibility for Rent Bank and/or EEF grants, following the program’s official guidelines and criteria (including collecting/verifying information and documentation, assessing applications, making recommendations, identifying potential application concerns, landlord mediation, facilitated information and referrals, referrals for ineligible applicants, social supports, client follow-up, detailed case notes, etc.);
- providing accurate and complete information to applicants regarding the Rent Bank program, including application requirements, documentation, timelines, special cases and appeal processes; and
- engaging with the Lead Organization on a monthly or bimonthly basis to review program priorities, support ongoing development and training and discuss any relevant items relating to program service delivery.
- Support clients with achieving greater housing stability through community resources, referrals and connection to services (e.g., Furniture Bank, ID clinics, food banks, life skills, legal and health supports).
- Provide services to help tenants understand their rights as tenants, mitigate tenancy issues and refer to appropriate legal support when needed.
- Collect and maintain client records, including client progress, and report on key performance indicators to track outcomes, demonstrate impact and inform program planning and decision making using the Shelter Management Information System (SMIS), the City’s Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS).
- Participate in community of practices, committees and working groups to enhance service coordination and collaboration across the housing sector to create a comprehensive support system.
Additional development of standard practices for Housing Access programs that will take place during the 2025-2028 grant cycle, in collaboration with the City of Toronto, include developing the following:
- clearly defined eligibility criteria to help ensure that services are directed to priority and vulnerable populations;
- standardized intake processes to determine housing needs, housing options and services which may include piloting the use of the City’s STAARS assessment;
- standardized practices to measure the effectiveness of client’s outcomes and make recommendations to enhance the program model; and
- clear and achievable implementation expectations and guidelines for program changes.
