Searching for Homeless Shelters

Collaborative community-based Housing First program * works to improve health and housing outcomes for people experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness

The Street Outreach and Informed Response Team provide the following services:

• advocacy to access services
• campsite tracking and engagement
• first point of contact for people sleeping on the streets
• diversion to natural supports
• support through the housing process
• harm reduction, Naloxone distribution and syringe recovery
  

Housing Selection Workers identify private-market landlords and property groups interested in making apartments available to people experiencing homelessness

Housing Stability Workers provide intensive case management support to people that have experienced persistent homelessness who are now housed

Services and Programs:

• London Cares Resting Place

Emergency shelter beds and short-term transitional housing (up to one year)

Services available to residents include medication distribution, referrals, and spiritual care * food, clothing and other material aid provided as necessary

Services to help with basic needs including shelter, housing assistance and material aid

Housing Stability Bank - Financial assistance to low income Londoners to obtain and retain housing, and for those at risk of homelessness

Shelter Services - Emergency shelter beds and short-term transitional housing (up to one year)

Withdrawal Management - Non-medical, co-ed, residential acute detoxification facility

146-bed emergency and domiciliary shelter providing accommodation, rehabilitation, crisis counselling and food

111 beds provided as emergency hostel for homeless men age 16 and over * 35 beds as residence for men requiring longer term care and support

In-Shelter Caseworkers - In-shelter caseworkers act as supports and resources for people residing in the shelter

24-hour emergency shelter for homeless parents and their children. Rotholme can accommodate up to 20 families or 64 unique individuals.

• crisis support
• in the moment intervention
• diversion from emergency shelter support
• advocacy and referrals to appropriate community agencies
• in the moment and short term community support

Emergency shelter with a 10 bed capacity for men, women, older adults and youth 16 years and older * pet-friendly

Emergency beds have been shifted to hotel until further notice

Intake coordination is done by City of London

30-bed emergency shelter

Home for female youth ages 16-24 who are in need of affordable and supportive housing * suited for youth who are enrolled in school and/or employed and working towards independence

Programs include:

• housing-based case management to actively develop a youth-centred support plan
• system navigation and service referrals
• independent life skills development space
• opportunities for one-on-one counselling/family reunification supports
• cooperative living skills
• private room, communal kitchen, bathroom, living room, and outdoor space
• on-site Resident Advisor

Housing for women ages 16 years and older within a 21-bed facility

Program includes:

• housing-based case management
• system navigation and service referrals
• independent life skills development space
• cooperative living skills
• private room and communal kitchen, bathroom, living room, and outdoor space
• on-site Resident Advisor

Home for male youth who are in need of affordable and supportive housing * suited for youth who are enrolled in school and/or employed, working towards independence and striving to move forward in their lives

Program includes:

• housing-based case management to actively develop a youth-centred support plan
• system navigation and service referrals
• independent life skills development space
• opportunities for one-on-one counselling/family reunification supports
• cooperative living skills
• private room and communal kitchen, bathroom, living room, and outdoor space

Safe housing for youth, women and men in need

Youth Homelessness Protocol - Participating agency for the Youth Homelessness Protocol, designed to assist youth ages 16-24 in Elgin County who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in finding a safe place to stay and to receive the supports needed to find safe long-term housing

Fairwinds Transitional Home for Young Men - Home for male youth ages 16-24 who are in need of affordable and supportive housing * suited for youth who are enrolled in school and/or employed and working towards independence

Harmony House Transitional Home for Young Women - Home for female youth ages 16-24 who are in need of affordable and supportive housing * suited for youth who are enrolled in school and/or employed and working towards independence

Horizon House Transitional Home for Young Women - Home for female youth ages 18-24 who are in need of affordable and supportive housing * suited for youth who are enrolled in school and/or employed and working towards independence

Second Story Men's Housing Program - Housing for men ages 18 and older in a 7-bed facility

Unity House Transitional Home for Young Men - Home for male youth who are in need of affordable and supportive housing * suited for youth who are enrolled in school and/or employed, working towards independence and striving to move forward in their lives

Women's Residence - Housing for women ages 16 years and older within a 21-bed facility

Practical services designed to help clients with the criminal justice system and community integration with a view to prevent similar problems from reoccurring

Accountability and Opportunity for Youth - Extrajudicial measures and extrajudicial sanctions (pre and post charge diversion) * youth must acknowledge participation in the offence and are given the opportunity to take responsibility without getting a criminal conviction

Youth Justice Committee Program - Serves as an alternative to the court-based system to handle low risk offences committed by youth * includes the youth, persons harmed, and community to provide an opportunity for healing and repairing the harm done

Community Reintegration Program - Assistance to youth who are currently serving a term of probation * youth worker and case manager help develop a personalized plan * assistance can include help with appropriate housing, obtaining proper identification, returning to school, employment services, life skills, counselling and transportation where needed

Community Service Orders - Hours assigned by the court to be completed at a nonprofit organization within a specific time period * community service orders are given to adults * suitable placement found and follow-up with the court for confirmation of completion

Direct Accountability Program - Diversion Program for Adults. Referred by the Courts. Program options include Alcohol and Drug Awareness Program, Anger and Substance Awareness Program and Stop Shop Theft. Other Program Options also available.

Adult Alternative Measures Program - Program gives people charged with a criminal offence the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions without getting a criminal conviction * fee for service

Support Groups and One-on-One Counselling - Youth ages 12 -17 Includes Anger Awareness, Healthy Choices, Life skills, D.A.W.N (Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program), BLAST (Anti-bullying Awareness), Second Step, Community Learning Hub programs (employment, financial literacy, substance education, Girls Group and anger management), and Create Your Skate Program

Youth Homelessness Protocol - 211 - Participating agency for the Youth Homelessness Protocol, designed to assist youth ages 12-24 in Elgin County who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in finding a safe place to stay and to receive the supports needed to find safe long-term housing

40 bed shelter open 24/7. * includes an overnight accommodation, a hot shower, laundry facilities, clothing, a hot supper and breakfast that includes fresh fruit * fellowship, transportation, medication and computer access * clean, lightly used to new clothing and winter apparel is available.

Emergency on-call shelter * drop-in and ring the bell for shelter
access

COVID19 Update: Food Bank open by appointment only Mon, Wed, Fri 9 am-3 pm; call ahead to provide information.

Food Bank
Food assistance program providing both perishable & non-perishable food (canned & boxed food, frozen food, meats, fruits & vegetables) * bread * Emergency Walk-in Food Bank * once every 6 weeks assistance * limited baby food, formula and diapers (when available) * food assistance can be accessed by appointment once every six weeks if required * Drop-in coffee, baked goods and bread.

Emergency Housing
Provides families with emergency housing which accomadates up to 10 people(s) maximum for a 6 week stay.
If The Inn Oxford's Homeless Shelter is filled to capacity, a single night arrangement at local accomadations (hotel/motel) can be arranged for individuals.

Volunteer Program
Volunteer service and school Community Service Hours programs * drop off resume or complete The Salvation Army Volunteer Registration Form available from Salvation Army office

Wellness Program - Eyeglasses, Prescriptions and Transportation Assistance
Program offers either a grant depending on financial situations to the maximum of $200 * assists with the following: dental, prescriptions, eyeglasses, medical equipment, transportation to out of town medical appointments, identification replacement

Housing Advocacy
Assistance with documentation and advice on landlord tenant issues

Low-income Electric Assistance Program (LEAP)
Access Centre to apply for LEAP - a one time hydro utility payment assistance program * grant is credited directly toward hydro portion of bill * program begins December 1st each year * available only once

Camps
Overall purpose is to serve the total personality and health needs of the camper; spiritual, educational, social, and recreational through a creative, healthful experience, in co-operative group living in outdoor settings * Holiday camps * Mum and Tots * Teens * Sleep Away camp for youth only * applications available through Woodstock branch, Tillsonburg branch, Norwich branch, Ingersoll branch

Emergency Food Bank
Emergency food assistance for persons in need * formula and diapers when available

Clothing Assistance
Supplies clothes change of season or for life altering events.

Thrift Store
Sale of used clothing, books and household items.

Low-income Electric Assistance Program (LEAP)
Access Centre to apply for LEAP - a one time hydro utility payment assistance program * grant is credited directly toward hydro portion of bill * program begins December 1st each year* available once only

6 bed transitional housing program for men

Important COVID-19 Information:
Domestic Abuse Services Oxford offers programs and services for women, children and adolescents impacted by domestic abuse and/or homelessness. Programs and services include:
* emergency shelter for women, children and adolescents impacted by domestic abuse and/or homelessness. Shelter space is limited and not all requests can be accommodated.
* 24/7 crisis/information/support telephone and text lines
* risk assessments and safety planning

Domestic Abuse Services Oxford has many services to offer. These include:

* Crisis/Help/Support Line
* Community Counseling
* Residential Shelter Services
* Sexual Assault Counselling
* Transitional Resource Program

Believe in Me

Program designed for children/adolescents who come from a home where their mother has been abused * weekly group offers participants the opportunity to talk about their feelings, learn how to express anger appropriately and improve self-esteem * a group for mothers is held concurrently which helps teach them how to support their child/teen * assistance with transportation and child care for siblings may be available * transportation can be coordinated. Free and confidential.

24 hour helpline and crisis line, counselling service for individuals in acute emotional distress and/or with mental illness, face-to-face support and assessment 7 days a week in the local community serving 8 hospital ER departments. Crisis staff will provide onsite assessment in the individual's home in the company of local police service. Will assist individuals to find the appropriate addictions or mental health service.

Emergency Room assistance available at all 8 hospitals, call ahead to ensure that a staff person can go to the hospital location.

Emergency Homelessness - People and families in need of emergency housing should contact the Ontario Works or ODSP office during regular work hours. Outside of normal business hours, contact the Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team for assistance.

Program is mobile with police in Huron and Perth counties.

Financial assistance to people experiencing homelessness to obtain and retain housing and to people at risk of homelessness to remain housed. . Programs available include: rental arrears, utility arrears, assistance with last month's rent, assistance with moving costs (does not include storage), furniture for new addresses, home repairs that would otherwise not be completed and may place individual's health and welfare at risk. Programs also include emergency shelter stays at local motels.

Low-income Energy Support Program (LEAP) - click here. If you're behind on your electricity or natural gas bill or face having your service disconnected, you may qualify for emergency financial help through LEAP. Please note for Festival Hydro customers this does not cover water or sewage fees and support is available from the City of Stratford Social Services, 519-271-3773 Ext 200.

Food bank, emergency transportation, support available for one-time emergency medicine costs, emergency accommodations in certain situations available for 1 to 2 nights maximum, vouchers for clothing and household items available for those in need, advocacy and resource referrals, support offered to send up to 2 children to Salvation Army summer camp each year. Those requiring OESP and Leap Program application assistance will be referred to Goderich office.

Other services provided during applicable or specific times throughout the year include: Christmas hampers, and is an intake agency for Huron Backpacks for Kids. Call office or see separate entries for full details.

Affordable housing for low-income seniors, families, and adults

Services offered:

• rent-geared-to-income housing
• homeownership program
• ontario renovates program
• housing allowance and rental supplements
• emergency assistance
• shelter assistance