Housing Access

The following programs have been approved to deliver services starting October 1. All applications were carefully evaluated by the City’s Housing Secretariat through a comprehensive review process.

Housing access programs 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 acquisition of housing that meets the client’s needs. Some people might require specialized supports and face multiple barriers to securing and maintaining housing, and these services are designed to be responsive to individual needs.

Project Name Organization
Housing Access & Support Collaboration Hub Agincourt Community Services Association
Albion Neighbourhood Services Housing Services Hub Albion Neighbourhood Services
Enhanced Circle of Life Anishnawbe Health Toronto
COSTI North York Housing Services Hub COSTI Immigrant Services
East York East Toronto Housing Services Hub East York and East Toronto Family Resources Organization
The Housing Help Centre Housing Services Hub The Housing Help Centre
A Place to Call My Own Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services
Housing Access Parkdale Activity – Recreation Centre
TNO – The Neighbourhood Organization Housing Services Hub TNO-The Neighbourhood Organization
Unison Health & Community Services Housing Services Hub Unison Health and Community Services
West Toronto Legal Services Housing Help Services Hub West Toronto Community Legal Services
Aboriginal Housing Support Centre Wigwamen Incorporated

 

If you are interested in learning more about the services that will be offered or if your organization would like to collaborate by initiating a formal or informal partnership, please contact the organizations above directly. Contact information for each organization can be found on the organization’s website.

Successful applicants operate a housing help center, which is a local, community-based hub that provides housing help, support with applications and information or referrals to related programs. These services are responsive to a broad range of needs, from people who are very self-directed, to those with more complex needs.

Housing access staff members must have:

  • extensive knowledge of and experience in housing work, conflict resolution and mediation skills
  • a strong understanding of housing resources and benefits, referral pathways and access points

Housing access programs must:

  • provide responsive and person-centered case management services that meet each person’s unique needs and/or complex challenges
  • provide non-judgemental, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive services rooted in harm reduction and Housing First approaches
  • help people find appropriate housing by conducting housing searches, applying for different types of housing (including market rent) and filling out applications
  • help people navigate the MyAccesstoHousingTO portal and the new Choice-Based process for RGI housing by supporting applicants with registering, completing applications, updating and maintaining applications (including annual reviews, building selections and updates to family size)
  • help people apply for other housing financial supports (i.e. Rent Bank, energy fund, etc.)
  • support those who have an offer of subsidized housing to submit required documentation to draft lease details
  • provide case management over a one-year period after clients obtain housing to ensure that people who need support are able to maintain housing
  • assist those at risk of losing their housing mitigate tenancy issues, either directly or through referrals to other services
  • assist people with achieving greater housing stability through community resources and connection to services (i.e. Furniture Bank, ID clinics, food banks, life skills) and health supports
  • provide referrals to more specialized types of services (i.e. connect to housing benefits) as needed
  • ensure post-intervention follow-up is completed at twelve months and any other time period prescribed
  • build and maintain relationships with private market landlords and housing providers in communities across Toronto to assist people in securing new housing
  • participate in City committees and working groups, if or as required
  • compile, maintain, and provide records and activity data, as required
  • advance the City’s funding priorities, including:
    • strengthening our relationship with Indigenous communities and advancing reconciliation
    • focusing on equity
    • delivering high quality services
    • reducing chronic homelessness
    • developing integrated system responses
    • strengthening and modernizing the sector