This innovative transitional housing program provides wrap-around supports for senior men with a history of homelessness and mental health or addictions issues.
Quick facts
Service type: Housing, Health & Wellness
Eligibility: Men 55+ who have experienced mental health or substance use issues, street involvement, homelessness or unstable housing
Location: Queen St. E , Toronto, ON
Fee: Tenants pay monthly rent for accommodation
Program dates: Year-round
Program description
First Step to Home is a four-year transitional housing programfor men 55+who have experienced mental health or substance use issues, street involvement, unstable housing and homelessness.
In addition to safe and affordable housing,participants have access toon-site health servicesand wrap-around supports, including case management, counselling, harm reduction and addiction supports, lifeskills trainingand 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 mental health and/or substance use issues (Self‐identified or Diagnosed)
Be street involved, homeless, and/or have a history of unstable housing
Be interested in transitioning from living on the streets, in shelters and unstable housing to permanent
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 and care within the program
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. First Step to Home Application
On-site personal support
24/7 staffing model with a combination of community support workers, social workers and security
Testimonial
In this video, a First Step to Home participant shares their experience with the program
How you can support
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Step 1: Register your application/interview
Individuals interested in applying for this WoodGreen Supportive Housing location must go through Access Point, Canadian Hearing Service (CHS), and Fred Victor organization process and waitlist to be referred to this program.
Step 2: Call for available spots
Once spots are available for this location, we send a notification to the referring parties who have the applicant registration for this location.
Step 3: Review applications
Applications will be revised, including the main requirements, and the applicants will be invited to visit the building and its services.
Step 3: Receive Expectation Agreement
Applicant will receive an Expectation Agreement with a description of the building activities, rules, and how to access services provided within the program.
Step 4: Receive Occupancy Agreement
The last step is to receive the Occupancy Agreement, which is the formal confirmation that the applicant has secured their spot in the program.
NOTE: Please note that we will not be keeping previous applications sent in. Applicants are encouraged to send an updated application if still interested in the program when new program spots become available.
Need help?
For any information or support on how to participate or how to fill out the application, please contact us through our General Inquiries page.
Program Partners
Referring parties for applicants
Program Partners
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