Searching for Shelter For Abused Women

COVID19 24/7 Crisis Line Support Program, Central Intake Line, Emergency Shelter Program, and Community Support and Outreach Program continue without disruption, as well as all support and counselling programs and services; enhanced screening in place using Ontario Ministry of Health Assessment Tool, PPE, and antigen test

• community and client meetings available by phone or online
• sexual violence counselling available by phone or online
• online Anti-Black Racism Sexual Violence Support Group
• 24/7 Crisis Line Support Program 905-403-0864, 905-676-8515, or 1-855-676-8515
• Central Intake Line 905-676-0257 or 1-800-676-0257 for Transitional Housing supports available 9 am-4:30 pm
• for donations, contact Julie Shultz, Development Manager, julie@embrave.ca
• visit website for updates and service information

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24-hour Crisis Line Support Line Program
Immediate support to survivors in the community who are experiencing any form of violence, including crisis support and intervention, risk assessment and safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals, problem solving and shelter intake

Central Intake Line for Transitional Housing Supports in Peel Region
First point of contact for transitional housing support program and community outreach services

• one-to-one support
• risk assessment and safety planning
• emotional support
• legal support (criminal, family, immigration)
• housing supports
• information and referrals
• problem-solving, advocacy
• shelter access

Emergency Shelter Program
24/7 intake for individuals and there dependents (up to 18 years) who have experienced, are currently experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing any form of violence

• capacity 54
• stay up to 4 months
• service provided regardless of geographical location
• referrals to alternative shelters as required based on safety or capacity issues

Sexual Violence Counselling Program
Emotional support and counselling, support groups, and information and referral, available in-person or remotely (phone, email, online)

• pressuring/convincing
• sexual assault
• childhood sexual abuse
• sexual harassment
• online sexual violence

Community Support and Outreach Program
Including safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals, and problem-solving, and assistance in accessing housing and shelter support, and legal and immigration support

COVID19 Transitional supports available, including in-home and remote casework

Culturally sensitive transitional shelter and essential supports for women leaving violence, and remote casework and mental health support for adults and youth

Resident and remote services:

• counselling and treatment programs
• financial assistance and help securing housing
• supports for health and mental health
• education assistance and life skills training
• employment supports including resume workshops, interview preparation, help finding employment
• assistance with immigration issues
• access to legal advice and assistance applying for Legal AID
• referrals including legal, financial, immigration, employment, food
• safety planning and follow-up
• capacity 12

Training and awareness for community organizations

Women's shelter open to all women but focused on serving the needs of Muslim women in abusive domestic situations, confidential address

• halal meals
• personal wellness and professional counselling available

COVID19 -- Shelter operating with enhanced screening and safety measures, including masks and distancing
There are current limitations to the available beds, call shelter line for current information


Short term emergency shelter for women, pre-screening intake assessment required prior to admission

Emergency shelter, includes in-person and telephone support

• emergency transport to shelter
• food, clothing, basic personal necessities
• counselling
• child and youth support
• assistance in finding community resources, supports
• information and referral, including to legal and court support
• assistance in finding and securing special priority housing
• education and employment supports
• health and mental health wellness programs

COVID19 Shelter open, call for information

Residence and emergency shelter (capacity 18) including counselling for residents and non-residents, crisis intervention and sexual assault counselling

• Full-Moon ceremony, Sharing Circle and Healing Circle
• life skills program and cultural activities from Indigenous perspective

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals, call for details

Emergency shelter, includes meals, clothing, counselling and referrals, crisis intervention, advocacy, housing help, life skills programs

• capacity 56
• maximum length of stay varies according to need

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals; enhanced screening and safety measures

Emergency shelter, including crisis individual and group counselling, practical information and assistance with legal services, housing support, food, clothing and personal care items, action plan development, life skills development, self esteem, parenting groups, computer training, and activities and homework club for children

• safety planning for residents and non-residents

Overview of emergency shelters in Halton and surrounding areas

HALTON

General Shelter: for intake call 311

Salvation Army Halton Lighthouse Shelter
* 905-339-2918 or call 3-1-1 and ask for referral
* located in Oakville, this is the general emergency shelter for men in Halton
* shelter may be able to arrange transportation
* for more details see full listing here

Wesley Housing Services - Halton
* email housing.halton@wesley.ca or call 3-1-1 and ask for referral
* emergency shelter services for women and families
* Housing First services and case management for adults, youth and families
* advocacy, referrals and community integration to improve housing retention
* for more details see full listing here

For abused women, their dependent children and pets:

Halton Womens Place
* Shelters - South Halton 905-332-1593, North Halton 905-878-8970
* Crisis Phone - South Halton 905-332-7892, North Halton 905-878-8555
* Administration 905-332-1200
* for more details see full listing here
* also protects pets from violence through the SafePet Program

HAMILTON:

To find shelter information call 905-546-2489, or 211
* for more information on shelters in the Hamilton area, see here

NIAGARA REGION:

To find shelter information call 211 or 1-800-263-3695
* for more information on shelters in Niagara Region, see here

REGION OF PEEL:

To find shelter information call Street Helpline Peel 1-877-848-8481
* for more information on shelters in Peel, see here

WELLINGTON COUNTY AND THE CITY OF GUELPH:

To find shelter information call the County of Wellington 1-844-824-1212
* for more Information on shelters in Wellington County, see here

TORONTO:

To find shelter information all the central intake line 1-877-338-3398
* for more information on shelters in the City of Toronto, see here

Major Services:

• 24 hour crisis lines for abused women
• HWP Chat provides online support, Mon-Sun 24 hrs, from a training Violence Against Women Counsellor
• safe shelter accommodation, food, and basic personal items for a maximum of 8 weeks for abused women and their dependent children
• individual and/or supportive group counselling at the shelter
• community agency information and referral when necessary
• court support for interim custody and restraining orders
• children's services
• emergency transportation to shelter, if necessary
• depart planning
• SafePet Program
• advocacy and public education around ending violence against women
• transitional support program
• accepts donations of goods for those in the shelter and those moving from the shelter to permanent housing (see list of needs here)

Family Court Support Worker Program

• information on the family court process
• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Schools programs

• EngageMENt 'male ally' program is a conversation-based 8-week program led by a male facilitator that guides male students through discussion around popular and sports culture, through a gender lens, and discusses what 'healthy masculinity' means, wrapping up by planning an experiential or service learning initiative (participants may receive up to 15 volunteer hours toward their Community Involvement requirement)

Emergency shelter, includes meals, clothing, counselling and referrals, crisis intervention, advocacy, housing help, life skills

• capacity 73
• maximum length of stay varies according to individual case plan
• safe environment
• spiritual care
• recreational events

Emergency shelter, capacity 32

• counselling and referrals
• advocacy and follow up
• court and immigration escort
• children's program and counselling
• legal and housing assistance

Transitional Housing and Outreach Support Program (TH&O)
Community-based support in obtaining affordable housing, including counselling, assistance accessing food supports, outreach, workshops and speakers bureau

COVID19 Call crisis line 416-724-1316 for intake, assessment and COVID19 procedures

Emergency short term shelter, capacity 35

• crisis intervention and counselling
• information and referral
• advocacy, awareness and education
• supportive groups for women and children
• children's programs
• average stay 6-8 weeks
• public education

COVID19 Emergency shelter and crisis line open; other programs offered online or by telephone, call for details

Shelter (capacity 30) includes food, some clothing, crisis counselling, support groups, court support, information and referral, children's program; 24 hour crisis line

COVID19 Emergency shelter open, new referrals accepted if space permits; other services offered remotely where possible, call for details

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Emergency shelter
Includes telephone crisis counselling, support and advocacy, individual and group counselling, referrals and ex-resident follow-up and support

• capacity 33

Transitional Worker assists residents and women in the community in finding housing, job search training and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes

Building Opportunities for Women (BOW)
Assistance with resume writing, interview preparation, job search, academic advancement and school programs, computer training, skills development and life skills

VIBE (Violence Intervention Breakthrough Empowerment)
Prevention program offered in-house, and in schools and communities

• music interactive therapy, academic support, group sessions, leadership and mentoring, and recreational activities
• in-school programs include Media Interactive, Music Interactive, WIT (Whatever It Takes), and Man Up (mentorship)

COVID19 Emergency shelter and crisis line open; shelter accepts new clients with referral from Assaulted Women's Helpline, call 416-863-0511

Emergency shelter, capacity 25

• counselling
• ​crisis intervention by telephone
• child care program
• referrals and advocacy

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and crisis line 416-533-8538, text 647-370-8300, and chat iDetermine.ca available for support; community outreach counselling available, call for details

Emergency short term shelter, including crisis intervention and counselling, family support, and legal, housing, education and employment support; advocacy and outreach; workshops

• capacity 33
• Housing Connections (see separate listing) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process

iDetermine.ca
Online support for women experiencing violence and abuse; professional counsellors assist with emotional support, safety planning, referrals and information

Referrals from Assaulted Women's Helpline only, 416-863-0511

Emergency shelter, including counselling, crisis intervention, needs assessment, mental health and addiction counselling, immigration and housing assistance, referrals and support (medical, financial, legal, employment, housing, parenting, immigration, substance abuse, cycle of violence), and advocacy for clients and their children; children's program includes children's group, counselling and recreation

• capacity 27
• ex-residents support program

COVID19 Shelter open for current residents; others leaving abuse should call Assaulted Women's Helpline, 416-863-0511

Emergency shelter, including counselling, crisis management, needs assessment, referrals and support (medical, financial, legal, employment, education, housing), and advocacy for clients and their children; children's program includes individual and group counselling, recreational activities

• capacity 24
• 1 accessible room
• public education

COVID19 Contact or visit website for update on phone, virtual and in-person programs and services

Supportive community-based emergency and support services, includes shelter, crisis intervention, counselling, safety planning, and support group programs for women and their children

• information and referral
• accompaniment and advocacy
• assistance in obtaining services
• development of support networks
• outreach and home visit services provided in various community locations

Emergency shelter
Includes counselling, referrals, court and immigration escort, follow-up, and advocacy and assistance with housing, welfare, immigration, medical and legal services

• capacity 30
• children's programs

Transitional and Housing Support Program
Counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, assistance obtaining affordable housing, and follow-up

Women and Communities Against Violence (WACAV)
Builds and strengthens linkages between under-serviced areas, supports service providers and shelters

COVID19 Shelter available Mon-Sun 24 hours; for shelter intake call Assaulted Women's Helpline 416-863-0511; all other services call 416-638-7335 ext 103

Violence Against Women (VAW) emergency shelter
Includes crisis intervention and group counselling, referrals and advocacy, court accompaniment, safety planning and service coordination, children's program, and community education

• capacity 40
• pet kennel available

Transitional support services
Includes assistance in finding permanent housing, subsidized day care and local schools

• psycho-educational workshops
• recreational activities and outings
• follow-up services

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals

Emergency shelter, including meals, crisis counselling and support, child care, referrals, outreach and housing support

• capacity 50
• length of stay depends on need

Safe, spacious temporary residence, residential services include:

• in-house emergency case management
• trauma counselling
• support groups
• legal assistance
• food and clothing
• Fathering After Separation or Divorce - parenting program
• assistance with housing applications
• agency referrals for additional resources

Emergency shelter for men
Short term problem solving and referrals, case management, housing and addiction counselling, and harm reduction

• access to Housing Connections (see separate listing) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process

Emergency Hostel Program 416-392-5547
Emergency accommodation in dormitory setting (capacity 240), with access to bed area 4 pm-8 am, includes day program, counselling and referrals, meals

• access to lounge, resource room, computers
• laundry and lockers available

Long Term Program 416-392-5542
Long term accommodation (capacity 134) with 24-hour bed access, includes counselling and referrals, meals and laundry, and on-site day nurse

O'Neill House Program 416-392-5407
Housing transition program (capacity 50)

Seaton House part of George Street Revitalization and scheduled to close by end of 2022, with residents moved to alternate locations, for information visit City of Toronto website for George Street Revitalization updates