Our Housing Services offer advocacy and support for adults who are unhoused, housing unstable, or involved in the justice system.
Participants are referred through Coordinated Access and complete a Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT), which helps prioritize individuals most in need of housing support.
The program is funded through the Reaching Home initiative, which supports the Housing First model. This model provides immediate access to housing without preconditions such as sobriety or treatment, allowing individuals to focus on recovery, stability, and personal growth.
Our housing supports are delivered in collaboration with community and cultural partners, including Dalhousie House, to ensure holistic, inclusive, and sustainable housing outcomes.
Housing Applications
Our housing team assists with rental applications, obtaining identification, setting up bank accounts, applying for rent-geared-to-income and community housing, and navigating systems such as Service Ontario and Service Canada.
Supportive Housing
We help residents transition from homelessness into stable, independent housing. Using a Housing First approach, our staff provide one-on-one case management and life skills support, including budgeting, meal preparation, cleaning, employment readiness, and connecting with community and cultural supports.
Housing Assistance
Our team offers assistance with rental subsidies, safety planning, and referrals to mental health and addiction services.
Staff work alongside residents to set and achieve personal goals that strengthen housing stability, improve overall well-being, and build independence.
Occupancy Program
Elizabeth Fry holds leases on select units to provide a transitional housing option for 8–11 months.
Once residents have demonstrated stability, they assume their own lease, moving into permanent housing with ongoing supports as needed.
Dalhousie House
“A New Day: Transitional Housing Program”
Dalhousie House is our Stage 2 Transitional Housing Program designed to support residents in developing the stability, routines, and life skills necessary for long-term housing success.
Residents entering the program are often navigating complex circumstances including experiences of trauma, housing instability, poverty, mental health challenges, substance use, and in some cases, involvement with the justice system. The program provides a structured, supportive living environment where residents can build independence while remaining connected to consistent case management and programming.
Dalhousie House operates using a trauma-informed, harm reduction, and person-centered approach that recognizes that each resident’s journey towards stability will be different.
The program emphasizes:
• Daily structure and accountability
• Strong staff engagement and support
• Life skills and independent living preparation
• Community connection and integration
• Collaborative problem solving when challenges arise
Residents participate in daily programming, case management meetings, house responsibilities, and community-based activities that support their growth towards independent housing.
One of the strengths of the Dalhousie House model is the high level of structured engagement built into each week. Residents are expected to participate in programming, case management, housing meetings, shared responsibilities, and community activities that help them in developing routines and strengthening their independent living skills.
Wrap Around Housing Services
Together, our Housing Services and Dalhousie House reflect our commitment to providing holistic, wraparound supports that address both housing and reintegration needs.
By combining stable housing with personalized case management, skill-building, and community connection, these programs help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity, stability, and purpose.
