Searching for Help To Find Housing

Information and applications for London and Middlesex Housing Corporation units, nonprofit housing, cooperative housing, subsidy, rent supplement program and rent-geared-to-income programs

Reviews application and explains the different housing options that are available then forwards application directly to the housing provider selected * maintains a Common Waitlist System * housing providers have a variety of handicapped accessible units

Ontario Renovates Program - Program offers financial assistance for low to moderate income households to increase accessibility of their dwelling through minor modifications and adaptations * funding is limited * applications accepted on a first come, first served basis until funds are depleted

Assists people with disabilities to ease their daily living, accessibility and employment issues

Social and recreational programs * independent living services based in Sarnia * summer camp offered in Geneva Park, Orillia

Assistive Devices Program - Assists adults with disabilities with funding for the purchase, repair, and maintenance of a wide variety of mobility or assistive devices such as wheelchairs and scooters

Home and Vehicle Modification Program - Financial assistance toward the cost of required home or vehicle modifications for eligible Ontario residents of any age who have a long-term physical disability

AccessAbility Advantage (A+) - accessible design expertise in the development or redesign of residential buildings, small businesses and organizations * offers document conversion, internal and external communications, policy development to meet accessibility standards

Employment Services - Employment services including assessments, training, job placement and on-the-job support to help people return to work

Community-based housing support services * Housing Stability Worker assists with locating and securing housing * develops an action plan to meet client's needs * action plan includes goal setting and strategies to work towards community stability

Supports may include:

• finding and securing permanent housing
• support with activities of daily living (cooking, cleaning)
• support with community appointments and grocery shopping
• financial/budgeting needs
• crisis management and/or prevention
• substance use and addiction support
• support in addressing physical and mental health needs
• information and referral to community resources and services
• building community relationships and support networks
• community recreation and leisure activities

Community-based housing support services * Housing Stability Worker assists with locating and securing housing * develops an action plan to meet client's needs * action plan includes goal setting and strategies to work towards community stability

Supports may include:

• finding and securing permanent housing
• support with activities of daily living (cooking, cleaning)
• support with community appointments and grocery shopping
• financial/budgeting needs
• crisis management and/or prevention
• substance use and addiction support
• support in addressing physical and mental health needs
• information and referral to community resources and services
• building community relationships and support networks
• community recreation and leisure activities

Service coordination for children and youth with complex needs that may require a response from more than one service provider

CSCN is the single point of access to residential-based treatment services for children and adolescents

Service coordination for children and youth with complex needs who may require a response from more than one service provider * single point of access for children and adolescents who require access to residential-based mental health treatment services * Developmental Services Ontario South West Region and Passport South West Region are divisions of this agency

Children's Services - Service coordination for children and youth with complex needs that may require a response from more than one service provider

Developmental Services Ontario - South West Region - Single point of access to adult developmental services funded by the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for adults with a developmental disability

Passport Program - Helps adults who have a developmental disability to be involved in their communities and live as independently as possible by providing funding for community participation services and supports, activities of daily living and person-directed planning * passport funding can also be used to provide caregiver respite

WrapAround - Individualized, coordinated, family-driven plans to meet the complex needs of children and their families

Manages access to government social services, such as Ontario Works * provides financial support for basic needs * emergency financial aid * administers subsidies to assist eligible families with the costs of licensed child care * employment assistance

Basic Financial Assistance (Ontario Works) - Short term income assistance for the cost of shelter and basic needs including food and clothing * also offers limited Emergency Assistance and Discretionary Benefits

Burial Assistance - For eligible applicants, financial assistance for families unable to meet the cost of a funeral and burial * the county will agree to pay the funeral costs up to a predetermined maximum * any income from other sources (insurance policies, Canada Pension Plan Death Benefits and family contributions) will be taken into consideration for payment ahead of the county contribution * for more information, call 519-434-7321 ext 2236

Child Care Fee Subsidy - Financial assistance toward the cost of licensed child care * for more information, call 519-434-7321 ext 2289 or 2265

Emergency Energy Fund (EEF) - One-time emergency financial assistance towards electricity bills for people who are in jeopardy of disconnection of a utility service * applicant must currently have received a disconnection notice, or have been disconnected * fund available for families in Middlesex County not receiving other forms of social assistance * application form available on Middlesex County Social Services website

Employment Assistance - Supports to eligible Ontario Works clients to help become and stay employed, such as job search support, basic education, employment placement, skills training, community participation and participation in substance use recovery programs * financial assistance may be provided to clients to cover certain related expenses such as transportation, child care and clothing

Housing Assistance - Social Housing providers are located throughout London and Middlesex * each program offers different housing alternatives (nonprofit housing, cooperative housing, subsidy, rent supplement program and rent-geared-to-income programs * for more information, or to apply, visit the Housing Access Centre or call 519-661-0861

Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) - Program for eligible Ontario Works clients * parents under the age of 18 must participate in the program to remain eligible for OW * parents between the ages of 18 to 25 may voluntarily participate * completion of LEAP requirements entitles participant to $500 bursary, to be applied to post-secondary education, or may be saved for their children

Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI) - Financial assistance available to eligible people and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless * assistance with hydro and rent arrears

Housing cooperative helping low-income First Nations households living in urban areas to obtain suitable and affordable rental housing in the private market * provides assistance to Native sponsors whose purpose is to supply housing for low-income First Nations households

Studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments with kitchenette

Weekly housekeeping, all meals, heat and air conditioning, hydro, parking * attendant escorts, recreational activities, personal care available for an additional fee

Recreational facilities and social opportunities are open to the public

Maintains listings of housing available throughout the City of London * listings available at the office or on the website

Operates on a self-serve basis * website also contains information about the rights and responsibilities of renting

Workshops promote healthy living through educating participants in an interactive way * participants learn and apply information from workshops to everyday life * workshop series are 8-10 weeks long * held in various locations throughout the city

Recreational programs held throughout the year include:

• soccer
• baseball
• floor hockey
• Creative Escapes
• Skills4Life
  

Maintains listings of housing available for Fanshawe College students, throughout the City of London * available at the office or online * partners with Places4Students Inc.

One-on-one residential supports * includes employment, recreational and volunteer activities * amount and duration of support varies according to personal need

Develops and administers assistance programs related to home ownership, private rental housing, affordable housing, social housing, transitional housing, supportive housing and homeless shelters * manages all city-owned housing

City-Owned Housing - Rent-geared to income housing owned and directly managed by the City of St Thomas

Coordinated Access Centre - Processes applications for most subsidized social housing units in Elgin and St Thomas

Housing Assistance Programs - Administers housing assistance programs, including assistance with utility costs

Assistance with applying to subsidized housing in St Thomas and Elgin County * access to resources, including apartment application requirements, current apartment and room rental listings, information on subjects related to obtaining and maintaining housing * linking with appropriate services such as income support

Working with existing social and health services to provide education programs, outreach, housing stability and support services to residents of Oxford County.

Outreach and Housing

Drop-In Services include:
* Form completion
* System navigation
* Advocacy
* Information on community resources
* Appointment support
* Housing system navigation
* Support completing rental applications
* Housing search support
* Kijiji tips & tricks

Working with existing social and health services to provide education programs, outreach, housing stability and support services to residents of Oxford County.

Outreach and Housing

Drop-In Services include:
* Form completion
* System navigation
* Advocacy
* Information on community resources
* Appointment support
* Housing system navigation
* Support completing rental applications
* Housing search support
* Kijiji tips & tricks

Assists women exiting or considering exiting abusive relationships through: access to counselling and emotional support programs. Safety planning and risk assessment. Applications for community supports such as housing, social assistance.

Provides services for clients that are residing in shelter as well as in the community on an outreach basis

A warm place out of the cold to connect with trained staff and community supports. Central location for legal, medical and social services professionals. Food and hot meals. Showers, laundry machines and storage lockers. Program staff includes Housing Stability Workers (HSW) and Peer Outreach Workers (POW). Naloxone kits and safe injection kits available. Focus on supporting individuals in Stratford who are currently experiencing homelessness to take steps towards permanent housing.

Assists women to develop goals as they leave an abusive relationship

• provides information and help accessing and maintaining housing, court support, and advocacy
  
• provides legal advocacy services for Family law and criminal law issues to women

Services offered:

• support in developing a Transition Plan to become free of abuse
  
• information on other services for women and their children within the community and assistance with securing those services
  
• help in understanding abuse and how it affects women and their children
  
• court support in both family and criminal matters
  
• accompaniment to appointments and advocacy where the women requires support
  
• development of a safety plan
  
• assistance completing applications and documentation - housing, immigration, disability
  
• resource and referral Information

Arrangements can be made for women without access to transportation

COVID-19 - Essential services continue with pre-screening protocols for Transportation, Meals on Wheels, Personal Support and Crisis Intervention. Diners Club has returned and Fitness Classes are scheduled to return this fall. As COVID-19 municipality stages are implemented, services may change; contact the office directly for latest updates.

Assists low income, at-risk seniors find supportive housing in a retirement home. Organization contracts with participating retirement homes to provide subsidy to those that qualify.

COVID-19 - Fitness Classes (soon) and Diners Club (has returned) are returning. Essential services continue with pre-screening protocols for Transportation, Meals on Wheels, Personal Support and Crisis Intervention. As COVID-19 municipality stages are implemented, services may change; contact the office directly for latest updates.

Provides a range of support services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Services include:

• Non-Urgent Stretcher Van Transportation
• Accessible Transportation
• Homemaking / Home Help (incl. laundry, light housekeeping, meal preparation & errands)
• Personal Support
• Caregiver & Respite Support
• Home Maintenance
• Meals on Wheels (rural County only)
• Diners Club (Seniors Luncheons - call office for locations)
• Exercise Classes for Seniors
• Crisis Intervention
• Housing Support
• Seniors Cruise in June.(currently on hiatus)

The Waterloo Region Community Services Department provides resources on the topics of:

• Income Support (e.g. Ontario Works)
  
• Employment Services/Employment Resource Centres
  
• Children's Services
  
• Seniors Services
  
• Housing Services
  

The FIT program provides centralized intake for families requesting emergency shelter

• FIT supports families with eviction prevention services, shelter diversion and rapid re-housing from shelter, with the goal of reducing or avoiding emergency shelter stays.
  
• Through a coordinated shelter intake process FIT staff assess a family's housing needs and develop a plan for best housing options.
• Family must be within seven days of losing their housing to access support.