Housing Focused System Supports

Housing Focused System Supports 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.

The Housing Focused System Supports funding program is made up of the following funding categories: Sector Capacity Building and Coordination and Specific System-Wide Client Supports.

Sector Capacity Building and Coordination projects provide services to the housing and homelessness service sector. These projects strengthen the organizational capacity of networks, coalitions and other housing and homelessness sector-organized groups. They facilitate system-wide coordination, training, resource sharing and development of networks for stronger linkages and relationships between organizations. These projects facilitate the coordination and development of system-wide strategic responses and foster new approaches to addressing system-wide issues. These activities support a group of service providers to better integrate and synchronize their services and processes.

Specific System-Wide Client Supports projects provide essential services to individuals and households experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These specialized supports are delivered as individual needs arise and do not include case management. Services may include, but are not limited to the provision of identification, interpretation services, harm reduction supports, furniture, cleaning services, etc.

The following projects have been selected to deliver Housing Focused System Supports services for the funding term of April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028.

Organization Project Name
Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) Toronto Right to Housing Community of Practice
Cross Toronto Community Development Corporation Extreme Cleaning Services
East York East Toronto Family Resources (EYET) Resources Exist for Networking and Training  (RENT)
Furniture Bank Toronto Homing Solutions
Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) Scarborough Furniture Bank
VHA Home HealthCare Restored Home: Extreme Cleaning

If you are interested in learning more about the services offered, please contact the organizations above directly.

Sector capacity building and coordination staff members must have:

  • effective partnership and networking capabilities; and
  • strong communication and engagement skills.

Sector capacity building and coordination programs must:

  • engage network members in activities of shared interest, such as training, sector-wide planning and networking;
  • develop and implement approaches to deliver and coordinate services, including providing training, sharing consistent practices and improving collaboration;
  • improve service planning and problem solving amongst service providers, while building stronger partnerships, improving integrated services and increasing sector-wide knowledge and resources;
  • identify stakeholders/project partners and clearly define eligibility for participation, if applicable;
  • enhance service provider/sector capacity to deliver services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
  • provide accessible, integrated and administratively streamlined and coordinated services for service providers working with people experiencing, exiting or at risk of homelessness;
  • participate in City committees and working groups, if or as required;
  • compile, maintain and provide program statistics and submit activity data and program outcomes as required; and
  • 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; and
    • strengthening and modernizing the sector.

Specific system-wide client support staff members must have:

  • the capability to provide responsive and timely intervention, including assessment, intake and triage (where necessary); and
  • a strong understanding of and experience in navigating housing resources and benefits and services that support clients to maintain housing stability.

Specific system-wide client support programs must:

  • provide non-judgemental, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive services rooted in harm reduction and Housing First approaches;
  • provide flexible, mobile services that meet varying individual needs and system demand;
  • deliver services to individuals and households experiencing or at risk of homelessness through service coordination with system partners (e.g., landlords, housing providers, drop-in services, healthcare services, etc.);
  • provide a clear service delivery plan for the distribution of/access to resources;
  • participate in City committees and working groups, if or as required;
  • compile, maintain and provide program statistics and submitting activity data and program outcomes, as required; and
  • 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; and
    • strengthening and modernizing the sector.