About the Nonprofit
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Homes First's Mission: Homes First develops and provides affordable, stable housing and support services to break the cycle of homelessness for people with the fewest housing options.
Homes First's Vision: Everyone has a home. The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness – even those with severe mental health and/or substance use issues – can successfully stay housed and off the street with appropriate housing and supports.
About Homes First: For nearly four decades Homes First has been creating housing solutions for the City’s most vulnerable. Our priority has always been to serve individuals with the fewest options, who face some of the highest barriers to exiting homelessness and maintaining housing. We currently operate 9 shelters, serving over 1,600 people a night, and 15 supportive housing locations (one of which is 24 hour supports), supporting over 500 people. We are one of the fastest growing homeless shelter providers in the city of Toronto (we operate 23% of all active shelter beds in Toronto) and are strategically committed to expanding our supportive housing portfolio in the immediate future.
One of the founders of the Housing First approach, we were the first agency to provide single adult supportive housing in Toronto and remain one of the largest providers of non-profit housing for people with lived or living experience of homelessness in the City. We also know that approximately 15-20% of the homeless population have complex needs, needs that far too often result in higher risk of eviction, refusal of service delivery and hospitalization. Unless steps are taken to provide added support, Housing First recipients will return to staying outdoors or re-enter the shelter system. It is essential that we create models of support that address these challenging dynamics.
While many organizations focus on providing emergency shelter, transitional, or permanent housing services, Homes First is experienced in delivering a full continuum of service models. Our management and frontline teams have a deep and wide-ranging skill set in shelter and case management, and all departments - including Property Management, Finance and Human Resources – contribute to the agency’s central goal of maintaining residents’ housing, improving their quality of life, and empowering them to achieve their own life goals.
Homefull Toronto: Visit https://homefulltoronto.ca/ to learn more about our capital campaign in support of seniors!
Not having a place to call home robs thousands in our city of the dignity and quality of life that we all deserve and desire, not just for ourselves, but for those we love.
We believe Toronto should be Homefull. A city FULL of homes. A city FULL of hope. However, a roof over someone’s head is just the beginning.
Homefull isn't just a campaign, it's a movement.
One that aims to generate a collective commitment to creating a city where it is unacceptable for over 10,500 individuals to be homeless every night.
One that acknowledges the different needs and challenges of its residents and looks to create homes that serve all populations equally.
One that removes existing notions of what a home is or should be and recognizes that one size does not fit all.
One where actions are deliberate, creative and relentless in the development of safe, secure and supportive housing options.
One that is led by choice.
Homefull Toronto is about building a Toronto that we are all proud to call home.