What Needs to be Done to End Homelessness?

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Noreen date of birth ? death was in 2012, she loved music any-kind of good music. She loved to party and that she did until the end.

An adequate supply of safe, affordable and appropriate housing is a prerequisite to truly ending homelessness in the long term. This includes ensuring that people who are chronically and episodically homeless are prioritized and that systems are in place to enable such persons to receive housing and supports through Housing First programs. In a tight housing market, implementing a Housing First agenda becomes that much more challenging. It is also important to address the supply of affordable housing, in order to broaden access for other priority populations, including women fleeing violence, Aboriginal Peoples, families, seniors and youth, for instance.

Ultimately, addressing Canada’s housing crisis comes down to money, which then begs the question about our national priorities.

Canadian homeowners enjoy over $8.6 billion in annual tax and other benefits. This kind of investment in home ownership is important because it benefits millions of middle-income households.

Spending on affordable housing for Canada’s poorest households however, is less than one quarter of that invested in homeownership, approximately $2.1 billion per year and has declined quite dramatically over the past 25 years.

Ironically, it costs more to ignore our housing problem than it would to fix it. Consider the estimate that homelessness alone costs the Canadian economy over $7 billion per year. While the Government of Canada invests $119 million annually to address homelessness through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (provinces and municipalities also invest), this is not sufficient to address the problem and as a result has not led to a noticeable reduction in homelessness.

By not investing adequately in housing for the poorest Canadians, health care, justice and other taxpayer-funded costs increase.

Put another way, as Canadians, we are spending more money on people who do not need help compared to those in greatest need. And by not spending on those in greatest need, we are not only creating hardship for many Canadian families, we are creating a considerably larger expense for the Canadian economy.

We can do things differently. In the State of Homelessness in Canada 2014, we propose a robust housing investment strategy that would cost the economy much less than the current costs of homelessness. The key elements of our strategy include the following proposals:

 

 

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Ontario Resources

Hamilton

Emergency Shelters for Men

Good Shepherd Centre
905-528-9109
135 Mary Street, Box 1003,
Hamilton, ON L8N 3R1

Emergency shelter for men in need of temporary accommodation. A daily hot meal is served for non-residents as well. Bag lunch available, also a food bank. Clothing and household items available if needed.

Mission Services Men’s Residence
905-528-7635
325 James Street North,
Hamilton, ON L8L 1H3

Programs available to adult men experiencing a crisis in housing, clothing, finances, and personal well-being. Also emergency men’s shelter.

Booth Centre Single Men’s Hostel
905-527-1444
94 York Boulevard,
Hamilton, ON L8R 1R6

Emergency shelter for men. Provides a bag lunch. Also a daily traveling meal van stopping at several downtown locations between 9 pm and midnight. Call for schedule

Emergency Shelters for Women

Interval House
Crisis Line: 905-387-8881
Business Line: 905-387-9959

A transition house for battered/abused women and their children. Provides meals, emergency clothing and personal needs, 7 days a week.

Martha House
Crisis Line: 905-523-6277
Business Line: 905-523-8895

Emergency family shelter specializing in the care of victims of domestic violence. 28 bed security-equipped transition house for women and children in crisis.

Mary’s Place
905-540-8000

9 bed emergency shelter for homeless women 18 years and older who may experience difficulty in accessing the shelter system.

Native Women’s Centre
905-522-1501

Provides safe emergency shelter for all women regardless of age, ancestry, culture, place of origin or sexual orientation, with or without children, who are experiencing a crisis in their lives due to family violence, homelessness, or conflict with the law.

Inasmuch House
Crisis Line: 905-529-8600
Business Line: 905-529-8149

Emergency shelter for abused and homeless women and their children, as well as female teenagers over the age of 16.
Emergency Shelters for Youth (Ages 16-21)

Notre Dame House
905-308-8090
14 Cannon Street West,
Hamilton, ON L8R 3B3

There are 11 beds available for males and 9 beds available for females. Laundry facilities and meals are provided. Additional services are provided through their resource centre from 9-5 p.m. daily. These include school, employment counselling, addictions counsellings, public health nurse.

http://www.hamilton.ca/HealthandSocialServices/SocialServices/Housing/emergencyShelters.htm

OTTAWA

Here is a list of resources for homeless people in the Ottawa area. Inside, you will find links to food, shelter, and other information. Please suggest a link.

Shelters
Catholic Immigration Services provides temporary accomodations, food, clothing, information, counselling, orientation workshops, and translation services.
Contact: (613) 789-4338
http://www.cic.ca

John Howard Society of Ottawa provides a structured home-like environment for people who require help making transitions (ie:employment, education)(613) 236-3077
http://www.ottawa.johnhoward.ca

National Capital Region YMCA/YWCA
provides single adults with partly furnished rooms for monthly rental, health and wellness facility membership, local phone services; to provide adults and families: accomodations, local phone services, facility access, food money; To provide youth aged 16 to 19 with furnished room, phone and gym access, life skills programs, and goal-setting and achievement program; and to provide on a user pay basis referrals to a budget hotel on nightly or weekly basis for crisis or transient use.
Contact: (613) 788-5063
http://www.educom.on.ca/ymca-ywca/

Shepard’s of Good Hope provides shelter, food, addiction recovery programs, and supportive housing.
Contact: (613) 789-8210
www.shepherdsofgoodhope.com

Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa-Carleton provides rent-geared-to-income housing for youth; and works to re-integrate residents back into the community.
Contact: (613) 729-1000
http://www.ysb.on.ca

Women’s Shelters
Centre Espoir Sophie est une halte accueil qui offre un soutien pratique (repas, paniers de nourriture, produits hygiéniques, buanderie, coupes de cheveux) et émotionnel (accompagnement, écoute, ateliers et activités) aux femmes et à leurs enfants.
Contact: (613) 789-5119
www.centreespoirsophie.ca

Interval House of Ottawa-Carleton provides temporary shelter for women and there children who are escaping domestic violence.
Contact: (613) 234-8511

Harmony House provides medium-term supportive housing for women and their children, who have survived violent relationships.
Contact: (613) 233-3386
www.harmonyhousews.com

Cornerstone / Pilier provides emergency shelter and supportive housing for a of women.
Contact: (613) 237-4669
http://www.alexhoughton.com/cornerstone/

Food

Shepard’s of Good Hope provides food to those in need.
Contact: (613) 789-8210
www.shepherdsofgoodhope.com

Carlington Community and Health Services provides a walk-in clinic, employment guidance; youth programs; newcomers support and nutrition and cooking together.
Contact: (613) 722-4000

Sandy Hill Community Health Centre provides the opportunity for the group to cook and eat a meal together and take food home, along with vitamins and milk vouchers, and helps with babysitting of older children. Also provides bus tickets.
Contact: (613) 789-1500
http://www.sandyhillchc.on.ca

Medical Services
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Advocate and provide client-directed services and programs with and for people with mental health problems. Enhance, promote and maintain the mental health of individuals and communities through education and awareness.
Contact: 613-737-7791
http://www.cmhaottawa.ca/

Carlington Community and Health Services
Provides a walk-in clinic, employment guidance including how to streamlining your employees payroll; youth programs; newcomers support and nutrition and cooking together.
Contact: (613) 722-4000

Centretown Community Health Centre Support for people living on the street or in shelters; health care, outreach and assistance to obtain a health card. Support for people without health insurance.
Contact: (613) 233-4443

Ottawa Inner City Health Project Provide health care services to men and women who are chronically homeless and unable to use regular services due to lifestyle or complex health needs. Four main health services are provided to chronically homeless individuals in Ottawa’s downtown core:
Contact: (613) 562-4500
http://www.med.uottawa.ca/ichpsuo/Home_Page.htm

Royal Ottawa Hospital Our mission is to look for better ways to improve the delivery of services to better meet the needs of the homeless and mentally ill populations.
Contact: (613) 722-6521 x6
http://www.rohcg.on.ca

Somerset West Community Health Centre Provides clients with primary health care, education, technical training, life skills, and employment skills that are tied to today’s world.
Contact: (613) 238-8210
www.swchc.on.ca

Miscellaneous

Alliance to End Homelessness A coalition of community stakeholders committed to working collaboratively to eliminate homelessness by gaining a better understanding of homelessness and developing and implementing strategies to end it
Contact: (613) 241-7913 x 205

Centre 507 Association of Ottawa Provides services to people who are disadvantaged both economically and socially, responding to their changing needs through a variety of free programs.
Contact: (613) 233-5626
http://centre507.ncf.ca/

Financial and Employment Support Provides financial assistance in emergency situations, offering numerous services and programs for senior citizens, immigrants/refugees, the disabled, the homeless, and others.
Contact: (613) 580-2400
http://city.ottawa.on.ca

Housing Help (Ottawa) Assists homeless families and individuals living in shelters in finding find affordable housing.
Contact: (613) 563-4532
http://www.housinghelp.on.ca

National Anti-Poverty Organization Works to ensure that the concerns of low-income people in Canada are heard and respected.
Contact: (613) 789-0096
http://www.napo-onap.ca/

Rideau Street Youth Enterprises Creating opportunities for street and at-risk youth to develop the practical skills and experience they need to enter (or re-enter) the work force, and to become active, contributing members of the local community.
Contact: (613) 562-3864

Salvation Army Offers rehabilitation to men suffering from drug and alcohol addiction through a residential twelve-step recovery program and other addiction services; assists men who are homeless or living in poverty in achieving a substance abuse free lifestyle.
Contact: (613) 241-1573

TORONTO

http://www.211toronto.ca/splash.jsp
your connection to information about community, social, health and government services.

http://ootc.ca/
The Out Of The Cold program provides emergency food and overnight shelter during winter months.

Homeless Nation Toronto’s community partners.

http://www.youthlink.ca/innercity.htm
Youth Link Inner City provides drop-in and outreach services to street involved and homeless youth.

http://sketch.ca/
Working arts for street involved and homeless youth.

http://www.stchrishouse.org/adults/meeting-place/
The Meeting Place offers drop-in services to homeless and underhoused adults.

The Parkdale Activity – Recreation Centre offers drop-in and outreach supports to psychiatric survivors and socially isolated adults.

http://tdrc.net/index.php?page=home

Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
Political advocacy group working to end homelessness with a national housing strategy, and to relieve suffering of homeless people by advocating for better emergency relief measures in Toronto, including increased shelter space and public health services * no individual case work

http://ocap.ca/
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty
Direct action anti-poverty organization * campaigns against regressive government policies * advocates for individuals facing eviction, termination of social assistance & deportation.

http://homelessnation.org/en/node/336

BC Homeless Shelters

Please note that the shelter list is organized alphabetically by community, and includes information on client type. Use their address or phone number to confirm vacancy and application process (varies by shelter.)
S = Shelter
D = Drop-in

 

SHELTER  CONTACT #BEDS 
TYPE 
 
CLIENT
 
             
Abbotsford
Centre of Hope – Salvation Army  
34081 Gladys Ave
604-852-9305
20
Men and Women
 
                                                       
Campbell River
Evergreen Shelter – Salvation Army   690 Evergreen Road
250-287-3720
22
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Chetwynd
Red Lion Inn – The Red Lion Tavern Ltd.   4812 North Access Road
250-788-2755
3
S
Men and Women
 
             
Chilliwack      
Brigadier Arthur Carmell House – Salvation Army   45746 Yale Road
604-792-4486
11
S
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Courtenay
Pidcock House – Salvation Army   632 Pidcock Avenue
250-338-5133
14
Men and Women 
 
             
Dawson Creek
Aspen Court Hostel – Stepping Stones Ventures Ltd.   1032 -105th Avenue
250-782-9886
8
S
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Duncan
Warmland House – CMHA   2579 Lewis Street
250-715-1132
15 S
Men and Women
 
             
Fort Nelson
Fort Nelson Men’s Hostel – Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Society   4903 48th Avenue
250-774-3816
6
Men
 
             
Fort St.John
Fort St John Shelter – Salvation Army   10116 100th Avenue
250-785-2538 
20
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Hope
Hope and Area Transition Society Shelter   63030 Flood Hope Road
604-869-1880 (M-F)
604-869-1557 (weekends)
2
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Kamloops
Emerald Hostel – CMHA   207 West Victoria Street
250-372-3031
38
Men
 
             
Emerald House – CMHA  
250-828-1121
SD 
Women and their children
 
             
Kelowna
Kelowna Gospel Mission   251 Leon Avenue
250-763-3737
 60
Men
 
             
Alexandra Gardner Safe Centre – New Opportunites for Women (NOW) Canada Society   250-763-2262
20
Women and Families
 
             
Langley
Gateway of Hope – Salvation Army   5787 Langley Bypass
604-514-7375
30 S
Men and women
 
             
Maple Ridge  
Caring Place – Salvation Army   22188 Lougheed Highway
604-463-8296 (night 604-807-8290)
25
S
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Mission  
Haven in the Hollow- Mission Community Services Society   32646 Logan Avenue
604-820-9008
20
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Nanaimo
Samaritan House – Island Crisis Care Society   250-753-1474
20
Women and Families
 
             
New Hope Centre – Salvation Army   19 Nicol Street
250-714-1142
23
Men
 
             
Nelson
Stepping Stones for Success – Nelson CARES Society   7-567 Ward Street
250-352-9876
17
Men, Women and Families
 
             
New Westminster
Elizabeth Gurney House – Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver   604-524-0710
12
Women and their Children
 
             
Fraserside Emergency Shelter   604-525-3929
12
Women and Families
 
             
The Russell – Lookout Emergency Aid Society   740 Carnarvon
604-529-9126
15
Men
 
             
Stevenson House – Salvation Army   32 Elliot Street
604-526-4783
14
Men
 
             
North Vancouver
North Shore Shelter – Lookout Emergency Aid Society   705 West 2nd Street
604-982-9126
 45
Men and Women
 
             
Penticton
Compass House – Salvation Army   123 Nanaimo Street
250-490-9521
11
Men
 
             
Port Alberni
Port Alberni Shelter   3978 8th Avenue
250-723-6511
12
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Prince George
Bridget Moran Place – Active Support Against Poverty   590 Dominion Street
250-563-6112
30
SD 
Men, Women and Families
 
             
AWAC Shelter – An Association Advocating for Women and Children   250-562-6262
30
SD
Women and their Children
 
             
Ketso Yoh Centre Men’s Hostel – Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society   160 Quebec Street
250-563-1982 
21
SD 
Men
 
             
Prince Rupert
Prince Rupert Shelter – Salvation Army   25 Grenville Court
250-624-6325
10
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Quesnel
Seasons House – Quesnel Shelter and Support Society   146 Carson Ave
250-991-0222
10
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Richmond
Richmond House Men’s Shelter – Salvation Army   3111 Shell Road
604-276-2490
10
Men
 
             
Smithers
Broadway Place – Smithers Community Services Association   9872 Broadway Avenue
250-847-4660
7
Men and Women
 
             
Squamish            
Squamish Shelter – Squamish Helping Hands Society   37930 Third Avenue
604-815-4984
15 S
Men and Women
 
             
Surrey
Sheena’s Place – Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver   604-581-1538
12
S
Women and their Children
 
             
Cynthia’s Place – Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver   604-582-2456
14
Women and their Children
 
             
Hyland House –   Options: Services to Communities Society   6595 King George Highway
604-599-8900
35
Men and Women
 
             
Gateway Shelter and Front Room Drop In – South Fraser Community Services Society   10667 135 A Street
604-589-7777
40
Men and Women
 
             
Cloverdale Shelter – Options Services to Communities   17910 Colebrook Road
604-574-4341
10 S
 Men and Women
 
             
Terrace
Ksan House   2812 Hall Street
250-635-2373
16
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Vancouver
Bridge Women’s Emergency Shelter – Atira Women’s Resource Society   604-331-1407
12
Women
 
             
Catholic Charities Men’s Hostel    828 Cambie
604-443-3292
102
Men
 
             
Convenant House   525 Drake Street
604-685-7474
54 S
Young Men and Women
 
             
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre   604-715-8480
50
Women
 
             
Yukon Shelter – Lookout Emergency Aid Society   2088 Yukon Street
604-264-1680
71
Men and Women
 
             
Lookout Downtown Shelter – Lookout Emergency Aid Society   346 Alexander Street
604-681-9126
46
S
Men and Women
 
             
St. Elizabeth Home – St. James Community Services Society   604-606-0412
32
Women and their Children
 
             
Powell Place –  St. James Community Services Society   604-606-0364 52 S
Women
 
             
The Umbrella – St James Community Services   604-684-191
fax: 604-684-1914
26 S
Women
 
             
Belkin House – Salvation Army   555 Homer Street
604-681-3405
70
S
 Men and Women
 
             
The Haven – Salvation Army   128 East Cordova Street
604-646-6800 (night: 646-6806)
40
S
Men
 
             
The Beacon – Salvation Army   136 East Cordova Street
604-646-6875
60
Men
 
             
Crosswalk – Salvation Army   108 West Hastings Street
604-669-4349
35
S
Men and Women
 
             
Vi Fineday Family Shelter   604-736-2423
18
Women and Families
 
             
Triage Shelter – RainCity Housing and Support Society   707 Powell Street
604-254-3700
28
Men and Women
 
             
The Gathering Place – City of Vancouver   604-665-2391 D    
             
Evelyne Saller Centre – City of Vancouver   604-665-3075 D    
             
Vernon
Howard House – John Howard Society   2307 43rd Street
250-542-4041
24
S
Men
 
             
Gateway Support Services for Men and Women – John Howard Society   2800 33rd Street
Men: 250-260-2792
Women: 250-260-2786
25
Men and Women
 
             
Victoria
Out of the Rain Night Shelter – Beacon Community Services   Various locations
250-415-3856 / 250-884-3701
30
Young Men and Women (seasonal)
 
             
Our Place    
Drop-in
 
             
Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre – Salvation Army   525 Johnston Street
250-384-3396
21
S
Men
 
             
Next Steps – Victoria Cool Aid Society   2317 Dowler Place
250-381-2159
15
S
Men and Women
 
             
  535 Ellice St
250-383-1951
84
Men, Women and Families
 
             
Sandy Merriman House – Victoria Cool Aid Society   809 Burdett Ave
250-480-1408
25
Women
 
             
Williams Lake
Cariboo Friendship Society   99 South Third Avenue
250-398-6831
30
S
Men, Women and Families
 
             
             
Vancouver Homeless Emergency Action Team (HEAT) Shelters   
 
SHELTER   CONTACT  BEDS    CLIENT  
             
New Fountain Shelter
Portland Hotel Society
  51B W. Cordova St
604-331-1246
40
 
Men and Women
 
             
Aboriginal Central Street Shelter
Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society
  201 Central St.
604-720-9761
100
 
Men and Women
 
             
First United Church Refuge
First United Church
  320 Hastings St.
604-681-8365
200
 
Men and Women