Searching for Transitional Housing

A one year transitional housing program open to men, women and their children with a focus on families who are homeless due to issues with poverty, physical disability, mental health, domestic violence and family breakdown.

During their stay residents are given support through individual meetings with a support worker, support groups and a wide range of practical knowledge and skills training workshops.

Some examples of support groups provided are: practical knowledge and skills training, life skills, self-esteem, healthy relationships, women's group, and advocacy. After residents move out, they are guided towards ongoing support programs available in the Niagara Region.

Many continue with supports through outreach programs while transitioning to the next stage which helps to ensure housing retention, a stable safe environment and connection to resources and services.

One unit is accessible and designed for individuals with disabilities.

Community outreach services available to individuals on wait list for transitional housing program.

COVID-19: Drop in hours adjusted to 6 pm-7 pm, where youth can take dinner to go.

Offer support services, programs and resources to at risk youth. Services include:

Emergency Shelter: Youth are given access to a bed, showers and meals and also programming including the Steps to Independent Living program, recreation and social activities and cooking programs. Also, offers emergency shelter to victims of human trafficking as well as crisis support and referrals.

Drop-in Centre: A place for youth to connect with peers and receive mentoring and support. Youth will have access to meals, phones and Wi-Fi, shower and laundry facilities, crisis counselling and the clothing closet and food cupboard. Youth will also have access to the Steps to Independent Living program and recreational programs.

Youth Reconnect: Connects individuals in unstable living conditions with the services they need without them having to leave their home community. Referrals can be made by anyone and a Youth Worker will contact you within 24 hours.

After School Programs: In partnership with over 15 different service providers, the RAFT operates six After School Programs for youth. Programs offer free and accessible recreation, leisure and educational opportunities.

Youth in Transition: Supports youth, ages 16-24, in their successful transition out of the child welfare system into adulthood. Workers assist help youth to develop and pursue their goals, and will support them to identify access and navigate adult service systems relevant to their specific needs.

Eternal Routes: Connects homeless youth unable to live with their parents and Crown wards aging out of foster care with relatives who would be willing to provide the youth with the support they need to transition into adulthood and avoid homelessness.

Niagara Assertive Street Outreach: Actively engages individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness to promote, connect, and coordinate access to the range of supports available across Niagara's Homeless-Serving System, including emergency shelter, housing and support services.

Long-term recovery home for male substance abusers offering pre/post treatment services in the areas of addiction, life skills, prevocational and vocational planning.

Federally contracted Halfway House for men. Provide opportunities for reintegration into the community where stable supports exist to enable this transition to be successful.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAM provides support to people who have serious, persistent mental illness, who are living in the community in the setting of their choice and who, at times, require support to maintain their housing and independence. This program provides low to moderate intensity support based on individual needs.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM is designed for individuals requiring long-term intensive support and who are experiencing serious mental health issues. These individuals are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The program provides a combination of affordable housing and the ongoing, flexible supports needed to maintain housing. Consumers are linked with services, supports and resources in the broader community. The program supports over 80 housing units in the Niagara Region.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM: provides therapeutic support to clients with concurrent issues. Life skills instruction and practice is an integral part of the program. The program is time limited to a period of 3 to 6 months. Assistance with finding permanent housing is a component of this program.

Provides transitional housing for men wanting an alcohol and drug-free environment with access to rehabilitation programs, including alcohol/drug counselling, employment services, etc. Guidelines and curfews are in place.

A Supported Transitional Housing Program. Housing sites available in Welland, Niagara Falls, St Catharines, Beamsville and Grimsby

Provides a safe, supportive, living environment for men recovering from substance abuse and enables residents to return to the community as healthy and productive citizens.

An eight bed transitional housing program under the Niagara Regional Native Centre for aboriginal women with or without children who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.

Provides long and short term housing options for youth through two programs:

• Short-term residence - provides for the basic needs of youth while supporting them with meeting their goals through the provision of 24 hour staffing, resources and the implementation of development programs
• Long-term supported transitional housing - for male youth without secure housing, offers more independence but includes staff supports to encourage and empower youth to build competencies and life skills. The goal of the program is to prepare residents for independence and strengthen their capacity for success as self-sufficient members of the community

Provides a safe, supportive, living environment for women recovering from substance abuse and enables residents to return to the community as healthy and productive citizens. Female home coinciding with two men's homes in the Region.

Provides transitional support with a feminist framework, to women and children who have experienced abuse.

A transitional residential program for individuals with a mental illness. This residence has a capacity to accommodate 7 tenants.

This residence is staffed by one full time support worker, and several part-time staffers, who provide 8-11 hours of support daily. Provides a combination of affordable housing and ongoing flexible housing supports. Length of program is approximately 6-12 months.

A transitional housing program for men providing a supported living environment with the goal of securing stable permanent housing. Residents have their own room in a apartment that they share with 1-2 other individuals. Weekly supports are offered to residents.

Working in partnership with community groups, provides supportive transitional housing and program supports to assist low to moderate income families and individuals, the homeless, and those at risk of homelessness in the community.

Provides basic life skills program and counselling services to address individualized barriers to self-sufficiency through a partnering agreement with community service providers as well as 'in house' programs. Program areas include financial management and counselling, goal setting, job skills, coping strategies, etc.

COVID-19 - We are listening to the science regarding COVID 19, following Public Health guidelines, opening and closing the main office as needed. As of Jan 1, 2022, all services and programs are operational, however, Head Office is closed to the public. Employees occasionally access the office for work purposes. The main phone line and emails are being monitored and staff will get back to individuals as soon as they can.

A not-for-profit charitable organization that focuses on improving the quality of life for urban Aboriginal women and their families in the Niagara Region. Wholly owned and operated by Indigenous women of the greater Bi-National Region.

• Indigenous Womens Health Worker program (New 2021): A morphing of the previous Pandemic Outreach program, Indigenous community members in need of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), supplies, or other needs can contact the agency and may be able to receive assistance. Additionally, the IWH programs offers online workshops, health related information and kits as well as diabetes related resources.
• Indigenous Anti-Human Trafficking Liaison (New 2021): This program/service intersects with commercial businesses, civic and institutional groups as well as other community agencies to delver educational and information sessions to employees, work groups, students and front line workers in all sectors.
• Indigenous Infant/Family Advocate Program: This program is a partnership between FACS Niagara and Niagara Chapter - Native Women Inc, funded through the Ministry of Child and Youth Services. It provides an Aboriginal Staff who works with children and families in contact with FACS Niagara. The Staff also provides education and cultural teachings to FACS Niagara Staff and works to develop and increase the number of Aboriginal Foster Homes in the Region so Aboriginal children in crisis can be placed with an Aboriginal family wherever possible.
• Original Pathways - Aboriginal Approaches to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program: This program works to assist Aboriginal children and families through providing an alternative to the court system. The goal is to keep Aboriginal children and families out of court by resolving issues within a culturally appropriate way. For more information call and ask for the Coordinator.
• Youth in Transition: A program specific to youth who are leaving foster care and ready to move to adult hood. Aboriginal youth (16-24) who are or were a crown ward or in customary care are eligible for this Ministry of Child and Youth Services funded program. A worker can assist with a rights of passage plan for youth including building on community, aboriginal culture and education, employment opportunities, life skills, housing opportunities, building physical and mental health and helping to establish long-term connections and relationships.
• Breaking Free from Family Violence Program: Consists of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and urban Indigenous community-led and prevention-focused supports to reduce violence in families, reduce the need to bring Indigenous children and youth into the child welfare and youth justice systems and improve the overall health and well-being of communities.

Other Services include: cultural activities, a reference and resource library, Annual Scholarships for Post Secondary students, Native Woman of the Year Recognition Award, advocacy on regional and institutional steering and planning committees, for college and university students as well as community members on a case by case basis.

The organization is involved and committed to providing information that will provide an understanding and awareness of Aboriginal culture.

Provides temporary emergency shelter to refugee claimants. Each case is assessed immediately as clients arrive and there is a No wrong Door policy. Residents are encouraged to cook and clean up after themselves during their stay (15-30 day stays in emergency shelter)

Offers assistance with:

• Immigration procedures
• Transportation and accompaniment to appointments
• Forms
• Language translations
• Orient newcomers to Canadian life and help with finding local settlements
• Provide furnishings for apartments and help with shopping
• Make arrangements for transfers to other cities
• Provides friendship and encouragement
• Connect clients with other helping agencies such as health care providers, jobs, schools and day care centres.

Also provides safe and comfortable supported transitional housing to families and individuals. Priority is given to the most vulnerable persons such as single mothers and fathers with babies, women and children. Offers coaching in maintaining and retaining a home, connect with employment and assist clients to find affordable housing. Maximum 1 year stay in transitional housing is expected.

Provides a safe, supportive, living environment for men recovering from substance abuse and enables residents to return to the community as healthy and productive citizens.

Community Work Program - self-sufficient work program for people living with mental illness

• promotes stable and independent living conditions for participants
• reduces dependency on health and social service agencies
• promotes participant contribution to the community and peer support among participants
• staff contracts, schedules and supervises participant's work hours
• employees are paid minimum wage and can work as little or as much as they want

Activities:

• lawn maintenance
• leaf raking
• yard/garden clean up
• snow removal
• janitorial services
• piecework assembly
• small moves
• garage and basement clean outs and dump runs

Housing Program - level 2 accommodation for people living with mental illness

• medium support (not staffed 24 hrs)
• 2 locations - 213 Lock St W, Dunnville and 444 Broad Street W., Dunnville
• assist clients in attaining optimum level of functioning and responsible self-direction
• assist in preparing for independent living
• encourage resident involvement in work activity, education and/or volunteering

Program consists of:

• (2) 7-bed each cooperative homes where residents are expected to participate in the daily operations of the homes
• housing staff are present to offer guidance and support and are on call to handle emergencies
• clients arrange social activities on a regular basis

Social Recreation Program - encourages interaction in a safe and supportive environment

• organized activities such as cards, darts, billiards, air hockey, movies, all indoors; horseshoes and volleyball outdoors weather permitting; walking club
• organized outings such as baseball games, soccer games, theatre, hockey games, baking days, barbeques, etc

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

Provides furnished transitional housing apartments and support to young mothers with on-site programming and support staff. Offers supportive programs to those in the transitional housing.

Program introduces a temporary housing option for eligible newcomers in the community

• Burlington based apartments and townhouses for families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Provides temporary accommodation while residents search for permanent housing in Halton
• Placement is up to 12 weeks with a possibility of extension
• Rental Agreement is signed every three months with possibility of extension to up to one year

Provides supportive housing and outreach case management services throughout Halton for people diagnosed with a serious mental illness
* services are based on a flexible, rehabilitative model of support and are tailored to meet the needs of the people

Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT)
* for clients with severe and persistent mental illness, with priority given to people with schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders and with bipolar disorder
* for more information, see listing

Halton HOMES Program
* provides affordable housing and supports for adults who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless

Outreach case management/support service
* for clients 18 years of age or older with a diagnosed mental illness living in the community

Core supportive housing program
* provides safe, secure, affordable, and decent accommodation in a variety of settings
* rent-geared-to-income housing

Justice Supportive Housing Program
* provides affordable accommodation and flexible supports for people with serious mental illness who have come into conflict with the criminal justice system

Volunteer program

Designed to assist youth ages 16-24 who have been involved with Children's Aid or child welfare services with their transition to independence

• assists and supports youth to identify, develop and implement an individualized plan based on their goals
• supports youth leaving care to identify, access and navigate adult service systems relevant to their needs and transitional into self-reliance, providing emotional support

Connects youth with existing supports and resources in the community, including:

• housing supports
• educational opportunities
• employment services and training
• life skills training, such as financial management
• health and mental health services
• legal services
• other social and community supports

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