Searching for Help To Find Housing

Provides programs and services for homelessness prevention and to assist individuals who are homeless

• Provides support in accessing available community services for the homeless
• Provides advocacy and referrals to needed supports
• Participates in a breakfast program at St Michael's School
• Coordinates community presentations and workshops to raise awareness of homelessness

Services also include:

• Food bank at the Friendship Centre
• Transportation, temporary shelter assistance and discretionary funds in emergency situations only as determined on a case-by-case basis
• Drop-In Centre during regular hours at the Friendship Centre

Supports people who are at risk or involved in the criminal justice system through service, reform, education and advocacy

Offers the following programs and services:

• Bail Verification and Supervision Program
• Direct Accountability Program
• Community Service Order
• Community Re-Integration Services
• Residential Services
• On-Track Program (Geraldton, ON and Westgate High School, Thunder Bay)
• Remote Community Intervention Program
• Remote Youth Counsellor Services
• Suspension of Record Services

Walk-In Services

• Anger Management Program
• Anti-Criminal Thinking
• Employment assistance
• Education assistance
• Housing searches
• Housing support services
• Life Skills
• Mental Health First Aid Basic
• Mental Health First Aid for Adults who interact with youth

Offers case management services and housing for individuals who are struggling with an addiction and are homeless or at risk of being homeless

Provides the following services:

• Assistance in accessing mental health and/or addiction services
• Intervention strategies that include harm reduction approach and abstinence based model in efforts to assist in addressing substance use
• Help to integrate into the community advocating with informal and formal community resources
• Referrals to community agencies, where appropriate
• Assistance in accessing income support such as Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program
• Housing rent supplement
• Assistance in obtaining and maintaining housing in the community

• Provides housing for individuals with a serious mental illness or concurrent disorder (mental illness and addiction)
• Provides subsidized housing and case management services
• Ensures the individual is living responsibly by providing regular home visits from a case manager

Note: Does not provide emergency or crisis housing

Provides a direct, monthly benefit payment to eligible households to help pay their rent
​
Benefit payments are:

• based on household income and local market rent
• portable - benefits may be received even if moved to another address

Households who are approved to receive benefits under this program must consent to be removed from the social housing waiting list

Provides a rent relief program to help vulnerable individuals and families alleviate the negative impact of Covid-19

• Assists individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by setting up accommodations or maintaining an existing residence

Provides assistance with the following:

• first and last month's rent
• furniture
• groceries and household supplies
• propane/oil/wood to heat home
• 3 months rent subsidy

Provides financial assistance to individuals or families who are homeless or facing homelessness to obtain or maintain housing

To establish a new residence:

• financial assistance for rental costs
• financial assistance for utility connection charge/deposit
• financial assistance for moving expenses

To avoid eviction or disconnection of utilities:

• financial assistance for rental arrears
• financial assistance for utility and fuel arrears (gas, hydro, water, hot water tank rental, propane, oil or wood)
• financial assistance for tax arrears

Provides services for homeless individuals living with mental illness/addictions to secure housing

• Operates on a harm reduction and recovery model
• Offers services that are flexible and variable depending on client needs

Services provided include:

• Assistance to find suitable housing
• Financial assistance with rent supplement (partial only)
• Advocacy on behalf of client with other service providers
• Referrals and links to counselling and other community support services

Assists individuals and families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness to meet certain housing needs

Services provided include:

Emergency Shelter Solutions

• Assists with finding a temporary safe bed and necessary basic needs

Homelessness Prevention

• Provides financial assistance for emergency needs, rental and utility arrears and for basic necessities

Housing Support Services which can include financial assistance for:

• Gas and hydro deposits
• Hook-up fees
• Household furnishings
• Last month's rent deposit
• Moving and transportation to the home of the recipient

Provides safe and affordable long-term housing and short-term respite housing to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness

• Manages a rental unit (rent geared to income) for short or long stays
• Offers case management services

Short Term Housing

• Provides short term housing on an as-needed basis
• Offers a respite time for the caregivers of individual with mental health issues

Long Term Housing

• Assists in securing and maintaining long term housing
• Provides a rental unit with 24 hour staff supervision
• Offers assistance with medication management, housework and small indoor maintenance tasks

Rent Supplement Programs

• Mental Health and Addictions Rent Supplements - available to individuals with mental illness and/or problematic substance use who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Mental Health and Justice Rent Supplements - available to individuals with mental illness involved with the criminal justice system through mental health court diversion or on release from a provincial correctional facility

Safe Bed Program

• Provides persons 16 years of age and older who are in mental health and addiction crisis and in contact with law enforcement with a short stay of 30 days, and 24/7 community residential crisis support services

LOCAL CMHA BRANCH SERVICES DURING COVID-19

CMHA branches are open but many are offering alternative service delivery at this time
Service delivery may be provided:

• in person
• by phone

or in the following virtual ways:

• PCVC - Personal computer video conferencing
• OTN - Ontario Telemedicine Network
• ZOOM - Video/web conferencing platform

Please note: CMHA branch offerings are subject to change in response to the ongoing developments of COVID-19. The website below will reflect the most accurate and current information.

Follow this link to determine how service delivery is being provided by choosing the appropriate CMHA location from the website's drop down list.

Provides a direct, monthly benefit payment to eligible households to help pay their rent
​
Benefit payments are:

• based on household income and local market rent
• portable - benefits may be received even if moved to another address

Households who are approved to receive benefits under this program must consent to be removed from the social housing waiting list

• Provides financial assistance with utility payments and/or rent arrears for low-income individuals and families and recipients of Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits
• Assists individuals at risk of homelessness to remain housed

Types of expenses eligible for assistance may include:

• Rent arrears
• Utility arrears,
• First and/or last month rent,
• Utility deposit,
• Moving expenses related to employment,
• Health and safe living

• Oversees various types of housing options available to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
• Provides supports to individuals living in the homes as determined by individual needs; supports can range from a few hours to 24-hour supports with a focus on assisting the individuals to gain the highest possible level of independence and community inclusion

Administers the following housing arrangements:

• Group Homes
• Host Family Program
• Supported Independent Living

Offers services and support in the following areas:

• Communication
• Community awareness
• Cooking and meal planning
• Financial management
• Functional academics
• Healthcare
• Housekeeping
• Hygiene
• Laundry and clothing care
• Nutrition
• Recreation and leisure
• Shopping
• Social skills
• Transportation

Provides rent-geared-to-income (RGI) supportive housing in landlord/tenant units for individuals with challenges

• Provides assistance in securing rent geared to income (RGI) housing units
• Operates under the Residential Tenancy Act
• Focuses on independent living with minimal assistance
• Provides 24-hour on-site support staff

Provides the following services as required:

• Advocacy with other programs and services
• Assessment and monitoring
• Case management
• Life skills training
• Linking and referrals to other services
• Medication management and monitoring
• Service coordination
• Supportive counselling

Provides a direct, monthly benefit payment to eligible households to help pay their rent
​
Benefit payments are:

• based on household income and local market rent
• portable - benefits may be received even if moved to another address

Households who are approved to receive benefits under this program must consent to be removed from the social housing waiting list

LOCAL CMHA BRANCH SERVICES DURING COVID-19

CMHA branches are open but many are offering alternative service delivery at this time
Service delivery may be provided:

• in person
• by phone

or in the following virtual ways:

• PCVC - Personal computer video conferencing
• OTN - Ontario Telemedicine Network
• ZOOM - Video/web conferencing platform

Please note: CMHA branch offerings are subject to change in response to the ongoing developments of COVID-19. The website below will reflect the most accurate and current information.

Follow this link to determine how service delivery is being provided by choosing the appropriate CMHA location from the website's drop down list.

• Provides a central point of contact for individuals to access or be referred to mental health services and other required supports
• Coordinates and provides a continuum of services based on client choice and need
• Monitors and encourages the client's compliance with the court diversion agreement and associated treatment measures
• Provides rent supplements for individuals to access safe and affordable housing

Case management is offered for the following programs:

• Court Diversion
• Court Rent Supplement
• Getting Appropriate Personal and Professional Support (GAPPS)
• Homelessness Initiative Program (HIP II)
• Housing First
• Transitional Rehabilitation Housing Program (TRHP)