Searching for Homeless Shelters

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

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.

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

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.

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.

30-bed emergency shelter

An agency working to end interpersonal violence and abuse by supporting individuals and families who have experienced domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or gender-based violence through the provision of crisis intervention, emergency shelter, transitional support, children's programs, and counselling; and by fostering accountability for those who harm through intervention, counselling, public education, and systemic advocacy


Programs and services include:

• Crisis Line and Emergency Shelter - 33 emergency beds for abused and/or homeless women and children. Open 24/7 providing a safe haven, meals, support, and referrals to community resources

• Transitional Housing: Maria House - 8 residential units for longer-term residential stays for women and children in a setting that combines independent living with counselling and support

• Outreach- services for women wanting to make the transition to independent, violence-free living. Includes safety planning, accompaniment (i.e. to court, lawyer's office), home support, referrals and follow-up

• Counselling Services include:
  • Abuse Recovery Groups (for women 18+)
  • Caring Families (for high conflict families and their children)
  • Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (for children ages 6-16)
  • Mothers in Mind (for mothers and their children ages 0-5)
  • Challenge to Change ( PAR for men and women, SCRIBE for men only)

• Family Court Support - provide support and accompaniment for clients to family court, lawyers appointments and assist in navigating the Family Court system

• Violence Prevention and Community Outreach - presentations/seminars delivered to elementary students, secondary students, post-secondary institutions, service clubs, churches, businesses and other groups on such topics as domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual harassment and healthy relationships

• Partner Assault Response (PAR) 12-week group education and counselling program on domestic violence and non-abusive ways of resolving conflict
• victims/partners of the offender provided with support including safety planning, referrals to community resources, and information on offender's progress

• Volunteer Program - volunteers play a major role in fundraising and assisting staff with programs and services. Positions include Shelter Assistant, Emergency Child care Provider, Volunteer Driver, Housing and Employment Assistant, Tutor, Special Events Volunteer, Receptionist. Skilled volunteers also offer services such as massage therapy, yoga, and hairdressing on a regular basis to residential clients
  
  
  
• Closet Couture Boutique - social enterprise - high end second hand women's clothing

Emergency housing services for adults

Shelter services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Brantford and Brant County

• uses the Housing First Model
• provides shelter services as well as developing programs to assist people in overcoming the root causes of their homelessness

Resource centre focused on housing

Services include:

• diversion and prevention - stabilizes those at imminent risk of homelessness to maintain their housing or find alternative accommodation through access to case management and financial supports
  
• financial management services - acts as homelessness prevention for voluntary and mandatory clients needing support with their finances to maintain housing stability. The service ensures the payment of rent and utilities and access to case management supports
  
• ID clinic - provides financial supports to obtain a birth certificate, health card and other forms of ID. Staff will help complete the applications and may help with the cost of renewal or application fees
  
• rapid rehousing - Immediate access to short-term case management and financial support to avoid or exit emergency accommodations into permanent housing with necessary wrap around supports
  
• Housing Stability Fund - program can help obtain and maintain stable housing by providing utility arrears and deposits, housing related arrears or last month's rent
  
• outreach - community-based support
  
• access to emergency shelter

Service provides meals, community meal program, emergency accommodation, transitional housing, intake, assessment and referral services

• counselling on-site, (group/individual) on a short/long term basis until alternative arrangements can be made for housing or treatment needs - formal/informal, collaboration with community partner organizations and agencies
  
• operates a halfway house (CRF) for men entering parole
  
• articipates in the City of Brantford's Monthly Food Programs - visit http://www.brantford.ca/residents/support_services/Pages/MonthlyFoodCalendar.aspx to view this month's food locations

A 10-bed shelter Program

Shelter Program - provides temporary housing for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Offers a safe and supportive co-ed environment for people between 18 and 29 years of age

Services provided:

• single room with a warm bed, nutritious food and supports
• shelter for up to 90 days
• referrals to transitional and supportive housing programs, employment, addictions and mental health services as well as community support and services

Every situation is different. Staff will talk with individuals to better understand their situation. Then staff will work with individuals to come up with a plan that is right for them. It could be helping to arrange a temporary stay with family or working with the landlord to prevent eviction. Staff can also connect people to agencies for more help to resolve issues with their housing.

If individuals do need a temporary shelter stay, staff can refer them to an agency for service.

Every situation is different. Staff will talk with individuals to better understand their situation. Then staff will work with individuals to come up with a plan that is right for them. It could be helping to arrange a temporary stay with family or working with the landlord to prevent eviction. Staff can also connect people to agencies for more help to resolve issues with their housing.

If individuals do need a temporary shelter stay, staff can refer them to an agency for service.

Every situation is different. Staff will talk with individuals to better understand their situation. Then staff will work with individuals to come up with a plan that is right for them. It could be helping to arrange a temporary stay with family or working with the landlord to prevent eviction. Staff can also connect people to agencies for more help to resolve issues with their housing.

If individuals do need a temporary shelter stay, staff can refer them to an agency for service.

Inclusive overnight shelter

Provides short term homeless shelter and housing help services to women, cis and trans women, non-binary individuals and families with children who are experiencing homelessness.

Emergency beds have been shifted to hotel until further notice

Intake coordination is done by City of London

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

Emergency shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness whom self-identify as male.

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

Provides non-medical residence with 24 hour support.

Congregate setting home for people who were previously homeless/precariously house and who are living with complex medical challenges, including palliative situations.