Searching for Other Housing Related Services / Organizations

COVID19 -- Assessments by Access York are by telephone only


Provides financial assistance to stabilize housing to eligible York Region residents who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are not receiving funds from Ontario Work or the Ontario Disabiity Support Program

Eligible Expenses

• first and last month's rent
• rental arrears
• assistance with mortgage payments or arrears
• utility arrears
• utility security deposit
• utility reconnection fees
• moving costs
• identification replacement
• funds for urgent medical needs
• landlord and tenant mediation

Follow up services are provided

Emergency material assistance

• emergency assistance food and clothing (no drop-off at this location)
• pastoral counselling
• mental health counselling
• pre-school and caregiver drop in weekly
• youth programs
• seniors programs
• Christian life groups
• Christmas assistance
• volunteering

Rental and utilities Assistance throught Access York, 1-855-487-5327
Ontario Electricity Support Program -- assistance with applications

A coalition of individuals and organizations seeking to to prevent and end homelessness in Simcoe County through coordinated strategies, advocacy and awareness by:

• coordinating the system of care to end homelessness
• advocating for client access to systems, and seek policy change to support ending homelessness
• raising awareness of homelessness in Simcoe County

Housing mediation

• helps tenants and landlords, housing co-operatives and their members resolve conflicts
• specially trained, registered professional volunteer mediators guide to positive resolutions for housing conflicts
• mediators ensure communication remains respectful, safe, inclusive and productive communication
• confidential

COVID-19 -- Suspending in person services at main and satellite offices

• intake conducted via phone, email or skype, visit website for updated information on when and where in person services will be restored
• case by case assessment to determine if need to meet with clients and will use technology and other options for documents that require client signatures
• all public legal education and public meetings suspended

-------------------------------------------

Legal advice and in some cases representation, help may be available with:

• Co-operative Housing Members and Tenants rights
• Ontario Works issues, Ontario Disability Support Program, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security issues
• Canada Child Benefit/Disability Tax Credits, Criminal Injuries Compensation, Worker's Rights
• Immigration law

Provides Tenant Duty Counsel at online hearings of Landlord and Tenant Board -- free legal advice and help for tenants facing eviction who do not have own representation, no appointment required, sign in 30 minutes before hearing or sign up online at least two business days prior to hearing at tdc.acto.ca

Eviction Prevention Program -- legal supports for York Region residents with emotional and mental health challenges who are at risk of eviction, funded by Regional Municipality of York

Does not offer assistance with criminal charges - contact Legal Aid Ontario 1-800-668-8258 or visit www.legalaid.on.ca

Satellite Locations -- Currently suspended due to COVID​

Keswick -- 23324 Woodbine Ave
Maple -- 9401 Jane St, Suite 206
Markham -- 7220 Kennedy Rd, Suite 8
Newmarket -- Newmarket Legion, 707 Srigley St
Woodbridge -- 5732 Hwy #7, Units 3 and 4

Clinic also serves those in Georgina

Videolink via Skype -- contact CLCYR with email address

Housing Resource Centre to assist those looking for permanent housing, services include:

• assistance with accessing funding for rent related expenses
• assistance with accessing funding for utility related expenses. Intake provided in some areas
• assistance with accessing funding for support services needed for individuals with a disability or mental illness who are unable to live independently without care, supervision and/or support
• landlord/tenant mediation
• referrals to community resources
• maintaining a landlord registry
• maintaining a housing registry of houses, townhouses, apartments, rooms and shared accommodation
• assistance with applications for subsidized housing which must be forwarded by client
• assistance with applications for Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
• Member of the Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness

Outreach Locations
Housing Access Workers also provide support through other community agencies

• Barrie Public Library - Tue and Thu 1 pm-4:30 pm
• Ontario Works (Barrie Office) - Mon 1 pm-4 pm, Wed 9 am-12 noon
• see Outreach Locations - Drop-in

Assembles and delivers basic necessity packages to homeless people in Barrie.

• Accepts donations of basic necessities such as:
  • hats, mittens, socks, scarves, warm clothes and toiletries, knapsacks and non perishable food items
• delivers lunch (sandwiches and drinks) and has monthly giveaways
• Holds dinners and get togethers from time to time, donations for dinners can be made to either momof19851@hotmail.com or https://gofund.me/ba6483f3

COVID-19 Response

• All offices are closed to in-person meetings and services; in-person legal education and outreach activities have been suspended
• For legal services in Simcoe County call 705-326-6444 or 1-800-461-8953 Mon-Fri 9 am-12 noon, 1 pm-5 pm
• For legal services in Haliburton, Lindsay and Minden call Lisa Loader at 1-800-461-8953 Ext. 42 or email lisa.loader@shkl.clcj.ca
• Offices in Haliburton, Lindsay and Minden are open by appointment only

Regular Service
Services include:

• Disability Issues
• Income Maintenance (Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program)
• Aboriginal Justice Outreach Program
• Worker's Compensation
• Housing
• Employment
• Human Rights
• Consumer Law
• Education
• Canada Pension Disability
• Services offered over the telephone and by appointment
• Guest speakers available for community and education purposes
• Notary Public
• Commissioner of Oaths (all lawyers are Commissioners of Oaths)
• Duty Counsel for the Landlord and Tenant Board
• Do not provide family law or criminal law services

The Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness (SCATEH) is a local movement to prevent and end homelessness in Simcoe County through coordinated strategies, advocacy and awareness. As a Simcoe County-wide non-profit coalition of over 70 individuals and organizations, we undertake three core activities:

• Coordinate the system of care to end homelessness

• Advocate for client access to systems, and seek policy change to support ending homelessness

• Raise awareness of homelessness in Simcoe County

The Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness has 5 Chapters: North Simcoe, South Simcoe, Orillia and Area, Barrie and South Georgian Bay. The Chapters carry out SCATEH's mandate with direction and coordination from a central steering committee.

Mediator acts as a neutral third party

• assists separating couples or disputing parties to work out their own, mutually acceptable agreement
• suitable for almost any kind of dispute including landlord/tenant complaints, consumer complaints, employer/employee and work-related issues, matrimonial, family and estate issues
• offers family mediation, Court mediation service or private mediation
• offers training courses for Mediators, Basic Family Mediation Training, Advanced Family Mediation Training and Domestic Violence Training for Mediators

COVID-19 Update
Office hours are by appointment only

Regular Service
A non-profit housing provider

• portfolio has a total of 964 apartments and town houses located at 14 different locations in the City of Barrie
• approximately 60% of these rental units are for people who qualify for a rent geared to income subsidy
• rent geard to income subsidy is applied for through the Social Housing Department at the County of Simcoe
• 40% of the rental units are available for rent at market value

Services include:

Housing Stability Program

• rental arrears and/or utility or energy arrears
• last month's rental deposit
• moving costs for those that move to secure more affordable accommodation
• assistance with rental arrears, moving cost, and utility arrears

Access to Affordable Housing

• staff assist to locate units available in the communities that clients wish to live
• assist with rental applications, completion of a standard lease and connecting clients with housing providers
• market rent and rent-geared-to-income (RGI)

ID Replacement

• year-round I.D. replacement for birth certificates
• staff assist with processing application information and will provide payment for the document
• expedited birth certificates will not be expensed by North House
• birth certificate replacements available to both clients, and their child if required

Income Tax

• complete taxes for the current year and 10 years prior
• e-file to CRA

Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Support

• staff will address and advise on concerns that you may have about your tenancy and the appropriate forms to file with the LTB
• staff can attend scheduled hearings as emotional and moral support but cannot speak on client's behalf

Landlord Engagement

• Opening Doors in Durham Region where landlords may be eligible to receive a signing bonus of up to $1,000 to provide permanent, affordable, and supported housing solutions to the communities in north Durham Region

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)

• assistance with arrears of electricity or natural gas bill and facing possibility of disconnection

Ontario Electricity Support Program

• lowers electricity bills for lower-income households
• provides a monthly credit to eligible customers based on household income and household size
• credits are applied directly to eligible customers' electricity bills

This program provides financial assistance in the form of a 15 year forgivable loan of up to a maximum of $30,000, to legalize or create a secondary suite or garden suite.

Responsible for administering the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act, which outlines the warranty protection that new home purchasers are entitled to in Ontario.

• Licence new home builders and vendors
• Ensure that builders abide by the legislation
• Educate new home buyers about their warranty rights
• Protect consumers when builders fail to fulfil their warranty obligations
• Resolve disputes about warranty coverage
• Investigates illegal building practices
• Promote high standards of new home construction

Housing Services

• housing counselling
• information and referral
• matches tenants with landlords, eviction prevention, landlord outreach and recruitment, housing listings
• voluntary trusteeship service
• street outreach to persons who are homeless, Streets to Homes follow up support for clients who have been placed in housing

MyAccesstoHousingTO (Housing Connections, see separate entry) Community Partner -- assistance with housing search and application process

Rent Bank access centre -- interest-free repayable loans to low-income households who are in rental arrears or need to move into more suitable housing

• must have legal status in Canada and meet income requirements
• clients of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program may be eligible
• landlord and tenant mediation
• money management advice
• follow-up search assistance and community referrals
• also interest-free loans for first and last month's rent deposit to move into more affordable housing

Access centre for Ontario Electricity Support Program -- assistance with applications

• also for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), sponsored by Toronto Hydro Electric System and United Way Toronto -- assistance to low income individuals and families who are in arrears for their electricity utility bills and have exhausted all other sources of financial support
• for help with Enbridge gas bills call 1-855-487-5327

Jewish volunteer and advocacy organization

• anti-racism activities
• human rights advocacy
• Anti-Hate Hotline
• encourages communication between members of ethnic, social, economic and age groups
• education programs
• legal action
• public information workshops
• resource centre
• affordable housing program
• seniors program
• sports league for softball and basketball
• community volunteer services
• publications
• Housing Connections (see separate entry) Community Partner -- assistance with housing search and application process

Community services and supports

• information and referral
• assistance with filling out government forms
• assistance with Ontario Works/ODSP
• assistance with pensions
• government, trusteeship service
• document replacement and certification
• commissioner of Oath/affidavits
• interpretation and translation
• voice mail service
• personal income tax services

Albion Volunteer Trusteeship Service -- individualized money management supports

Federal housing agency

• mortgage loan insurance
• information on buying a home, renting a home, home renovations, co-operative housing
• housing policy and research

Experts in the housing programs supporting the varied and distinct housing needs of Indigenous and the North communities

• including the First Nations, Urban Indigenous, Inuit and Metis people in Canada

COVID19 Services continue by videoconference, teleconference, in writing, and in-person for accommodation purposes only; all in-person service counters closed; visit website for Operational Updates

Adjudicative tribunal under auspices of Social Justice Tribunals Ontario

• informs landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act
• provides balanced and timely dispute resolution in accordance with the law
• handles eviction applications filed by non-profit housing cooperatives

Effective January 1, 2022 - Ontario rent increase guideline for 2022 is 1.2%

Effective January 1, 2023 - Ontario rent increase guideline for 2023 is 2.5%

Community Access Services

• Commissioner of Oaths
• harm reduction supplies/support
• homeless services and drop-in
• computers, internet access, fax, photocopier
• income tax clinic
• Metro Voice Mail -- persons without telephones receive private phone number to retrieve messages from any touch-tone phone

Harm Reduction Services -- individual and community support or information about opiate use and addiction, addiction counselling, counselling and case management, harm reduction supplies (mobile and fixed site)

Housing Hub

• support for individuals and households at-risk or experiencing homelessness to find, apply for and maintain housing

Financial Empowerment and Problem-Solving (FEPS) program -- financial literacy workshops, income tax clinic, budgeting, mobile community financial worker

Medical Clinic

• biweekly for people who are experiencing homelessness
• not primary care, call 416-321-6912 ext 232 for appointment

Massage Parlour and Micro-Brothel Outreach -- for clients involved in sex work in massage parlours and micro-brothels in Scarborough

• distribution of safer sex tools, community referrals and informal case management
• access to sexual health testing appointments

Street Outreach Services

• mobile outreach in Scarborough and North York to support individuals experiencing homelessness and sleeping outdoors
• provides wellness checks, basic needs supplies, community referrals, informal counselling, support with accessing shelter and assistance finding and obtaining housing

Drop-In North

• breakfast, snacks and hot lunch
• access to computer
• locker storage (up to 3 months)
• information and referral
• individual support and informal counselling
• Harm Reduction Supplies and Service (mobile and fixed site) -- including clean needles, crack pipes, condoms

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN)

COVID19 -- services continue by phone, email, and video, online workshops and webinars available * offices are closed except for refugee shelters * see website page linked here for phone numbers to contact staff at specific services
COVID-19: SERVICE NOTICE

Housing Help services

• support finding and maintaining housing
• eviction prevention and housing stabilization services
• counselling, case management, advocacy support and referral for post housing stabilization
• information, referral, assistance with applications for subsidized, supportive housing, or emergency shelters
• crisis intervention
• drop-in program, free telephone and computers use during drop-in hours
• Streets to Homes Follow-up Program -- services and specialized help for formerly homeless individuals with complex needs, ID clinic
• seasonal income tax clinic

Information, orientation and education on the topics such as money management, tenants' rights and responsibilities and other community services that assist families facing crisis

Toronto Rent Bank access centre -- interest-free repayable loans to low-income households who are in rental arrears or need to move into more suitable housing

• applicants must be low income with adequate income to sustain their housing
• must have legal status in Canada, and pay market rent (not subsidized)
• additional eligibility criteria apply, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients not eligible

Access centre for Ontario Electricity Support Program -- assistance with applications

• also for LEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program), sponsored by Toronto Hydro Electric System and United Way Toronto -- assistance to low income individuals and families who are in arrears for their electricity utility bills and have exhausted all other sources of financial support
• for help with Enbridge gas bills call 1-855-487-5327

Member agency of Toronto Drop-in Network (TDIN) and Housing Help Association of Ontario (HHAO)

Represents the interests of private sector rental housing providers * offers public advocacy and information on property management, rental housing regulation and residential tenancies law * Certified Rental Buildings Program designation and listings, www.crbprogram.org

Assistance applying for social housing

• help resolving landlord/tenant disputes
• counselling, workshops and support groups of interest to Aboriginal tenants
• information and referral to general services