First Step to Home

First Step to Home is a four-year transitional housing program for men 55+ who have experienced mental health or substance use issues, street involvement, or periods of unstable or unhoused living.

In addition to safe, affordable housing, participants have access to on-site health services and wrap-around supports, including case management, counselling, harm reduction and addiction supports, life skills training and volunteer opportunities. First Step to Home supports clients to discover new strengths, recreate a sense of community and ultimately obtain affordable and sustainable housing.

Program Eligibility

In order to qualify for the First Step to Home program, the following criteria must be met:

• Be 55 years of age or over and identify as male
• Have a mental health and/or substance use issues (Self‐identified or Diagnosed)
• Be street involved, unhoused, and/or have a history of unstable housing
• Be interested in transitioning from periods of being unhoused or unstably housed to permanent housing
• Be interested in being part of a wrap‐around program with on‐site supports

Selection Criteria

• First Step to Home strives to provide equitable access to the program and the care it provides
• All applications must be submitted by the application deadline
• Applicants will be selected for interview based on consideration of need and current
  program capacity. The First Step to Home team strives to balance staff case load and program capacity in order to ensure clients are receiving the right level of care

On-site personal support

24/7 staffing model with a combination of community support workers, social workers and security