Searching for Help To Find Housing

Provides case management support to youth ages 16-24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in:
* finding Ontario Works * food * alternative education * work * housing * counselling * financial management * life skills

Host Homes initiative:
* matches youth with host homeowners who provide safe temporary housing

Bridge House program:
* provides transitional housing for youth for a period of up to 2 years in residential neighbourhoods in Burlington and Milton

Oakville Residence
* provides transitional housing for a period of up to 2 years in a bachelor style apartment

Service Navigator (north-end Halton only)
* connect youth ages 14-24 with community supports and case management

Provides access to health care support at home, at school, or in the community

• care coordinators work with people in the community or leaving hospital to determine what help is needed and arrange for care
• care is provided in community settings such as the home, school, residential facility or Home and Community Care Services community clinic
• referral to other community services when appropriate

Services available to eligible patients may include:

• nursing
• personal support
• physiotherapy
• occupational therapy
• speech-language therapy
• social work
• nutritional counseling
• end-of-life care
• medical supplies and equipment
• access to long-term care homes
• access to supported living (adult day programs, assisted living, supportive housing, retirement homes, and short stay care)
• school health support services
• specialized services for people living with specific health conditions
• referral to other community supports
• Burlington Nursing Care Centre

Information and Referral offered through My Health GPS, 1-800-810-0000:

• system navigation
• access to community resources
• assistance with referrals

A program for individuals who want to learn more about developing tools to have a positive relationship with their landlord.

The course can be delivered as either one 3-hour session, or six 1-hour sessions.

After completion of the course participants will receive a certificate of completion recognized by landlords that they can use as a reference for new rentals.

The workshops are focused on the development of skills to assist with finding a place to live, securing the unit, rights and responsibilities, maintenance, tenancy, and ending a lease.

Program assists seniors who are homeless or at risk of homelessness find safe, sustainable housing and assists to identify services that result in faster housing placement and more stabilized housing. Ongoing case management is offered to individuals for up to 12 months after they have been housed.

Multi-agency resource centre for at-risk youth residing within the community. Case coordinator assists the youth in navigating community and internal services based on their identified needs.
Services include:
* 24 Hour a day intake and admissions
* Meets basic needs by providing all meals and snacks, clothing, laundry and hygiene products, etc.
* Advocacy and Case Co-ordination
* Recreational / Therapeutic programming
* On-Site Access to Mental Health Services and Consulting Psychiatry
* On-Site Access to a General Practitioner and/or Nurse Practitioner
* On-Site Addiction / Substance Use Supports (Alternatives for Youth)
* On-Site sexual health clinic
* On-Site Withdrawal Management Assessment and Monitoring (St. Joseph's Hospital)
* Aftercare services through our Community Resource Centre

The Notre Dame Community Resource Centre, is a multi-agency resource centre for at-risk youth residing within the community who are between 16 and 21 years of age. Youth have access to a number of outreach support services and programs to assist them in remaining housed; diverting them from homelessness and street involvement.

A case coordinator assists the youth in navigating community and internal services based on their identified needs.

Free drop-in centre for youth in Hamilton. Offers a variety of themed activities and social events as well as:

• access to showers
• computers and wifi
• housing search assistance
• community referrals

Operates as an access point for subsidized housing in Hamilton. Subsidized housing is when rent is geared to the income of the recipient instead of market rates. Staff assist applicants with the application process and maintains the central waiting list for subsidized housing available from social housing providers.
Eligibility is calculated based on 30% of a household's gross monthly income. If applicant is receiving assistance from Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, a social assistance rent scale is applied. Additional charges may apply depending on the building (e.g. utilities, parking).
The organization is does not operate as a landlord and does not directly offer housing. Does not offer emergency shelters or emergency housing.

Provides services to assist individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are on a low income in finding safe and affordable housing.

Services include:

• listing of available rental accommodations
• free phone access
• subsidized housing applications
• housing search assistance
• information services
• community referrals

Provides housing support services to individuals with serious mental illness who are involved in the criminal justice system. A rent supplement is available for participants. Goals of the program are to:

• Secure and maintain permanent and affordable housing
• Provide flexible, portable, and individualized supports
• Assist in the prevention of future involvement with the criminal justice system
• Provide connections and support with other community resources as required

Operates in partnership with the Mental Health Court Support Services Program through the Canadian Mental Health Association, Hamilton Branch.

Program providing support for youth who have been involved with Family and Children Services. Helps youth to transition to a more independent lifestyle by developing and implementing a personal plan, and providing help navigating adult service systems and connecting with community supports and resources.
Offers the following types of support:

• emotional
• housing
• educational
• employment
• health
• legal

Providing support to 16 and 17-year-old youth seeking housing and/or housing maintenance; assistance to search for, view, apply, and retain housing. Support includes developing personal (life skills) and household management skills such as (but not limited to) budgeting, tenant skills, and connecting with additional community supports.

Additional Program Supports include:

• Financial Literacy
• Identification replacement, including access to free Digital Wallet
• Education opportunities
• Employment Readiness
• Advocacy
• Legal Services
• Immigration
• Health & Mental Health services
• Housing 101 Workshop available upon request

A service that helps individuals access and maintain safe and affordable housing

Services include:

Telephone support service

• get answers to general questions about housing by calling 3-1-1

One-to-one support

• for individuals who are having difficulty finding or maintaining their housing
• connects individuals with community services and resources
• advocates on behalf of renters with landlords and social service agencies
• an appointment must be booked by calling 3-1-1
• appointments are available on specific days in Burlington, Georgetown, Milton and Oakville

Halton Rent Connect

• a free service for renters and landlords
• links to housing supports in Halton

Landlord Engagement Specialist

• can help landlords resolve tenant issues
• provides direction to community resources that can help with the Residential Tenancies Act and other responsibilities as a landlord

Services provided:

Senior Relocation Management

• providing planning from start to finish covering packing, unpacking, set-up in the new residence, arranging temporary storage as well as preparing the home for sale
  
• working with clients to sell online, consign, donate and dispose of unwanted household items

Homecare Search Services

• working with clients to identify homecare services needed to live independently
  
• identify suitable providers and develop a plan to put the services in place

Senior Housing Advice and Search

• working with clients to understand their needs, and conduct research of senior living communities (i.e., retirement homes, seniors apartments or assisted living)
  
• assist them when making their housing decision including arranging and attending property walk-throughs

Provides transitional support services in Housing, Life Coaching, Life Skills Training and Mentoring, to vulnerable and racialized youth aging out, or recently aged out of the child protection and foster care system

The Oasis House is a spacious house, in an accessible location in the North-West end of Oakville, serving mostly black male youth (18-21yrs) from the Halton/Peel Region
* provide safe, stable accommodation and wrap-around support services to youth, so they can overcome barriers, thrive and transition successfully into independent adult living
* program model adheres to the Foyer Housing Model
* support youth to navigate and access community resources for education, employment, health and appropriate financial support
* Life Skills training to strengthen capacity to live independently
* designed to duplicate a healthy, supportive family environment
* engages a strength-based approach in building individual capacity for success

The Halton office is the contact point for families/individuals who are interested in accessing:

• residential services and supports
• caregiver respite
• community participation supports (with social and recreational activities, work activities and volunteer activities, including Passport)
• specialized services, such as service coordination or clinical services
• person-directed planning supports

Access to health care support at home, at school or in the community; care coordination for people in the community or leaving hospital; also long term home, short stay, convalescent and crisis placements

Care provided in community settings such as home, school, residential facility or nursing community clinic; also information on community services and referrals when appropriate

Services available to eligible patients may include:

• nursing
• nurse practitioner
• personal support
• physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• speech and language therapy
• social work
• nutrition and food counselling (dietitians)
• palliative care
• medical supplies and equipment
• access to long-term care homes
• access to supported living (adult day programs, supportive housing, retirement homes and assisted living)
• health support in the school
• specialized services for people living with specific health conditions including acquired brain injury service access and coordination
• information and referral to other community supports

Children's Health Services
Special health services for children in home and school environment including public, private or home-based schools, supports children when health care provision is essential to student's participation and development in school programs

Mental Health and Addictions Nurses
Assessment, intervention and support for students and families with mental health and or addiction issues, including consultation for school staff as appropriate

Placement Services
Determine eligibility for admission to long-term care facilities and prioritize and manage the admission process; support and information for applicants and their families prior to and during admission process

Nursing Clinics
Services for ambulatory patients at community clinics

Supported Living
Information and/or assessment for Adult Day Programs (ADS), Retirement Homes, Supports for Daily Living or Supportive Housing

Health Care Connect
Referral to family health care providers who may be accepting new patients, for registered program participants (individuals and families) who do not have a family physician

Voluntary organization that represents 95 per cent of all licensed retirement community suites in Ontario

• caring for nearly 60,000 seniors
• each retirement community can offer up to thirteen care services
• assistance with dressing
• assistance with personal hygiene
• medication management
• provision of a meal
• learning centre for senior living
• supportive and safe environments for residents living with varying levels of cognitive abilities
• visit the website to use the home finder to find listings of retirement homes

Mobile service which supports youth, single females and families at risk of homelessness, or episodic homelessness, to find immediate, long-term, safe and stable housing alternatives

• Emergency Supportive Housing Program for families and individual women in short-term accommodations
• Housing First services and case management for adults, youth and families
• Advocacy, referrals and community support to improve housing retention

Explains different housing types and how to apply, and directs to other housing-related listings in this directory
* for emergency shelters see separate listing here


NONPROFIT HOUSING
Housing operated to fill a social need, not as a business
* may be owned by government, nonprofits or charities, co-operatives, etc.
* some is subsidized (reserved for people with low income), some is 'market rent' (open to people of any income)
* some is reserved for seniors or people with disabilities (may have supportive services, like meals, personal support, etc.)

How to find and apply to nonprofit housing:
For complete list see Halton Region website here
Details for each listing show how to apply, but in general:
* for most market-rent units, apply directly to individual housing provider
* for most (but not all) subsidized units, apply through HATCH (at Halton Region 905-825-6000, or see separate HATCH listing here)

Halton Housing Help
Contact at Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here
* can help explain the housing system, how to search and apply


PRIVATE RENTAL MARKET
Housing that is privately owned, rented as a for-profit business

How to find private rental market housing:
Halton Housing Help
Contact at Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here
* provides free help and support to tenants to find and keep rental housing
* posts listings of available housing (see here)

Rental listings can also be found in local newspapers, and on websites such as gottarent, viewit, Kijiji, etc.


YOUTH HOUSING
Bridging the Gap
For youth, ages 16 to 24, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
* call 905-635-0663 or see full listing here

Community Youth Programs
Offers residential placement for youth, ages 15 to 18, not able to live with family but not ready for independent living
* call 905-845-9718 or see full listing here

Support House
Offers a full range of supportive housing options for youth ages 16 and up with mental health and/or substance use issues
* call toll free 1-833-845-9355 or see full listing here


HELP TO PAY DEPOSITS OR RENT
Halton Region Housing Stability Fund
One-time assistance with basic housing expenses to help people maintain their housing
* call Halton Region 905-825-6000 or see separate listing here

VETS Canada
For Canadian veterans who are in crisis, at risk of becoming homeless, or are homeless
* call toll free 1-888-228-3871 ext 121 or see separate listing here


HELP TO PAY UTILITIES
See separate listings for Gas & Hydro Bill Assistance here


PROPERTY TAX REBATES AND DEFERRALS
Property Tax Rebate (for lower-income seniors or people with disabilities)
See separate listings for Burlington * Oakville * Milton * Halton Hills or contact your local municipal government

Older Adults Property Tax Deferral Program (for lower-income seniors)
* call Halton Region at 905-825-6000 or see full listing here


LEGAL HELP FOR HOUSING
Halton Community Legal Services
Provides free legal assistance to those with low income, for housing and landlord/tenant issues
* call 905-875-2069 or see full listing here

Federation of nonprofit housing cooperatives * lobbying and representation * promotion of nonprofit cooperative housing * advice and training in cooperative housing management * assistance to new cooperatives



Online list of co-ops with open waiting lists * scholarship for member co-operative residents in postsecondary programs * youth leadership camp



Participating member of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada

COVID19 -- call or email concerning service updates


Information and referral to community services

Settlement information for immigrants and refugees (including GARs)

• job search and housing help; information about health and education system
• in-home settlement visits available
• participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by Achēv -- see separate entry, childminding may be available for attendees with children 2 to 6 years, bus fare for eligible attendees
• computer/Zoom classes: Zoom classes open to all who want to learn video conferencing via the Zoom app; class outside LINC/ESL class time

Seniors programs including information and referral, social activities -- membership, help applying for benefits

Family abuse, mental health and rights information

Community Volunteer Income Tax program for low income families

Help for low-income families and seniors

• applying for Ontario Works in Peel or for Peel Access to Housing
• assistance with applications for OESP (Ontario Electricity Support Program)

Commissioner for taking affidavits

Office open to the public Monday-Friday 9 am-5 pm; for information call, 905-279-3679

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Settlement Services for Immigrants and Refugees

• needs assessment, information and referral, advocacy, orientation, translation and interpretation, escort, assistance in finding housing
• sponsorship of refugees
• health workshops, mental health -- support groups, counselling
• heritage language classes
• skills upgrading, adult literacy classes
• seniors program including support groups and health education
• youth program offering services in settlement, counselling, skills development and social events
• Homework Club with individual assistance and group work
• citizenship test preparation classes

Community Connections Mentorship Program

• group activities for newly arrived immigrants and refugees of all ages to help orient them to their new community and establish social and professional networks
• trained and experienced volunteer mentors assist, with focus on citizenship and civic engagement or skills and career development

English as a Second Language / LINC -- participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by Achēv -- see separate entry

• day or evening classes

Childminding available for clients attending sessions

Supported independent living programs including support with housing, money management, legal and court related issues, parenting, developing lifestyle plans and goals, employment, and connecting with community resources such as recreation centres and clubs

Access point for Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funded adult developmental services

Confirms eligibility, completes application packages and makes referrals for Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funded adult developmental services. Services include:

• residential services and supports
• caregiver respite
• community participation supports (social and recreational activities, work activities and volunteer activities, including Passport)
• specialized and professional services, such as service coordination or clinical services
• person-directed planning

Centre to meet, socialize, share and learn from each other, services include

Tin pantry -- in collaboration with the Mississauga food bank

Wasa-Nabin Youth Program -- individual and peer support, life skills guidance, personalized plan of action, addiction prevention

Journey together: indigenous child and family outreach program -- deliver culturally specific experiences geared towards children and families attending EarlyON centres

Indigenous court worker program -- support, liaison services, resources and information on matters relating to the judicial system
Gladue writer -- write and submit a Gladue report to provide information to the court - for sentencing purposes - regarding the life circumstances if an Indigenous offender
Gladue aftercare -- case management to ensure the clients are meeting the needs of their sentencing conditions

Indigenous mental health and addictions -- sweat ceremony, sharing circles, one on one sessions with Elders, Healers and Seers

Urban aboriginal healthy living program -- nutrition education, physical fitness activities

Cultural resource

• cultural and recreational program
• traditional teaching
• drumming circles
• talkin circles
• one on one, group and peer informal counselling
• community referrals