Searching for Help To Find Housing

Provides housing support services to youth in need of protection who have entered into a Voluntary Youth Services Agreement (VYSA) that can include:

• Advocacy
• Budgeting
• Grocery shopping and cooking
• Housing search and tenant skills
• Job search, creating a resumé and interview skills
• Referrals to other supports and organizations
• Skills development for independent living

• Provides support services to individuals residing in the community
• Offers varying amounts of support and is based on an individual's needs
• Supports required are determined by the individual receiving supports and their families

Types of support offered include:

• Accessing community resources
• Assistance with appointments
• Home maintenance
• Landlord and tenant negotiations
• Money handling and budgeting
• Meal preparation assistance
• Shopping

• Provides a long-term case management program that assists individuals and families to find and maintain housing
• Works to address and mitigate barriers to achieving permanent housing
• Offers support, advocacy, and accompaniment to appointments
• Initiates referrals to other programs and services
• Provides ongoing outreach after permanent housing has been established

Provides assistance to residents through a range of services for housing related needs, including:

• help to maintain housing
• help to find housing
• help with financial assistance
• help for landlords
• help with support services
• help with emergency housing

Service provider for off-reserve Aboriginals throughout Renfrew County. Services include:

• health care referrals to help connect people to the various programs available to them
• assistance in obtaining affordable housing and in the maintenance of current housing through the following programs: Regional Rehabilitation Assistance Program
• Rural Native Housing
• Home and Vehicle Modification Program
• education - scholarships and bursaries
• employment info and referral
• Aboriginal Awareness Program (free for all schools and youth organizations in Renfrew County)

Offers services virtually and in person to your with little to no wait times.

Services include:

• Mental Health Services
• Substance Use Services
• Peer Support Services
• Primary Care - Physical Health Services
• Education Services
• Employment Services
• 2SLGBTQ+ Services
• Support for youth with special needs
• Housing Supports
• Variety of workshops and cultural teachings

The Homelessness Initiative seeks to:

• ensure that homeless people and those at risk of homelessness are provided longer-term housing solutions, shelter and support and prevention services.
• increase strategic engagement of partners and improved coordination and delivery of services.
• increase knowledge to support better informed policies, investment decision making and provision of services.

Assistance available to individuals includes:

• advocacy with Ontario Works, ODSP, service agencies and other sources of support
• assessment and referral to determine what the individuals situation is, what is necessary to ensure shelter and which agencies may provide suitable assistance
• a variety of assistance is available to help ensure housing is retained if it is in jeopardy of being lost, including possible financial assistance for needed services such as hydro and heating. Financial assistance is based on client need and is only accessible once.
• possible emergency shelter is available such as hotel chits.
• food security assistance
• Identification

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

• Midland Public Library - Tue 9:30 am-12:30 pm
• see Outreach Locations - Drop-in

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

• Orillia Public Library - Thu 12:30 pm-3 pm
• Ontario Works (Orillia Office) - Tue 12:30 pm-3 pm
• see Outreach Locations - Drop-in

Housing information centre * temporary and permanent housing assistance * registry of available rental units * specialized information and referral * housing retention assistance * mediation * online emergency resources * Intensive Case Management

Connects individuals to community health care services:

• information and referral for health services at www.southeasthealthline.ca or by telephone
• coordinates professional home health services and personal care support
• when needed, will connect individuals with organizations to better meet their needs
• if unable to live safely at home with any combination of community services helps investigate living alternatives such as supportive residential options, retirement homes, long term care homes, convalescent and respite care
• access point to Long-term Care Home admission
• Care Connectors help people without family physicians obtain a family health care provider

Confidential services to French speaking women in Renfrew County who are victim of violence

• transitional housing support program
• individual counselling
• facilitate access to resources to help during transition
• helps women advocate for themselves and their children

Information about and referral to agencies in the community providing housing supports

Housing supports may include:

• group homes and group living supports
• supported independent living
• host family home/associate living support

Assistance gaining and maintaining suitable and affordable housing

• advocacy and education regarding tenancy rights and responsibilities
• homemaking life skills, teaching and coaching
• provides service to active members of the Community Mental Health Services
• Offices in Pembroke, Arnprior, Renfrew and Barry's Bay

An Ontario Works delivery agent for financial assistance and emergency housing. The Transitional Support Fund (TSF) provides aid to social assistance recipients and low-­income families who require housing related supports such as:

• rent
• deposits
• fuel and hydro deposits
• establishing a new residence
• prevention of disconnection or reconnection costs of hydro or heating costs
• shelter or hydro arrears

COVID-19 (21 Apr 2020): Staff is delivering services remotely. Métis who are in need of help accessing supports are urged to contact the MNO toll free at 1-800-263-4889 or email covidhelp@metisnation.org.

Culturally relevant victim services

• advocacy
• access to cultural supports and community groups and circles to support healing
• referrals to relevant community agencies and programs, and to psychiatrists
• development of a safety plan
• information on local shelters or safe housing options
• assistance with housing applications
• information and assistance regarding court processes and orientation, including the creation and delivery of Victim Impact Statements
• short-term peer support
• workshops on topics such as navigating victim services, identifying warning signs of abuse, court processes, child witnessing, etc