Housing

Housing plays a central role in the recovery of people with mental health concerns and in allowing for positive changes in the lives of people who use substances. It is helpful to understand all the types of housing that are available. Knowing your legal rights as a tenant and having tips for house hunting are also useful.

The Community Support and Research Unit has compiled the following list of external links to answer questions about housing in Toronto.

Where can I find affordable housing listings and current vacancies?

Coordinated Access to Supportive Housing (CASH): Toronto Mental Health & Addictions Supportive Housing Network. Lists supportive housing providers and provides application form
Toronto Community Housing Market Rental Accommodations : online listings for lower cost, market rent housing in Toronto provided by TCH
RENT Landlord Connect: website for Toronto housing workers to develop housing stabilization collaboration with Toronto landlords and low income people
Housing Help Tool Kit: An online tool kit for the public to access web links to many Toronto services regarding housing. To access go to this link: http://www.housingworkers.ca/toolkit/
Additional housing help services in Toronto can be found at: http://www.toronto.ca/housing/housing-help-services.htm
For housing help services outside of Toronto go to the Housing Help Association of Ontario’s website www.findhousinghelp.ca
CRC Self-Help: provider of community based affordable (rent-geared-to-income) housing individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and mental health/addiction concerns; offers information for current residents and potential applicants

Where can I access a specific housing application?

Housing Connections (PDF): Toronto subsidized housing application
Toronto Community Housing Market Rental Accommodations: application for lower cost, market rent housing in Toronto
Toronto Mental Health and Justice Initiative (PDF): application for mental health and justice supportive housing

Where can I find more information on types of housing?

City of Toronto Housing Portal: City of Toronto housing webpage offering information on various types of housing in the city
211 Toronto: directory of all of the community, social, health and government services available in Toronto
Community Resource Connections of Toronto: a guide of community supports for consumer/survivors
Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto: provides information on what co-op housing is and on application procedure
Toronto Mental Health and Justice Initiative: supportive housing for MH&J clients provided through partnership of MOH and 4 leading MH and housing agencies
RENT Landlord Connect: website for Toronto housing workers to develop housing stabilization collaboration with Toronto landlords and low income people
Housing Help Tool Kit: An online tool kit for the public to access web links to many Toronto services regarding housing. To access go to this link: http://www.housingworkers.ca/toolkit/
Additional housing help services in Toronto can be found at: http://www.toronto.ca/housing/housing-help-services.htm
For housing help services outside of Toronto go to the Housing Help Association of Ontario’s website www.findhousinghelp.ca
CRC Self-Help: provider of community based affordable (rent-geared-to-income) housing individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and mental health/addiction concerns; offers information for current residents and potential applicants

Tenant Information (including tenant-landlord and legislation information)

Welcome Home: A guide to service for tenants (PDF): City of Toronto’s reference guide for new tenants providing information on community-based services and tips on living with a low budget
Tenants and Landlords Brochure (PDF): a brochure created by the City of Toronto outlining some services available specific to tenants and landlords

Tenant Advocacy

Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation: an organization dedicated to ending discrimination in housing and working with individuals who have experienced discrimination or rights violation related to their housing
Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations: organization advocating for tenant rights offering outreach, education and a telephone counseling hotline
Advocacy Centre for Tenants: organization working to better housing conditions for those living with low income or homelessness

Community Home Support Resources

Toronto Central CCAC: providers of home-based care and support to individuals who require assistance with aspects of daily living
VHA Home Health Care: providers of 24 hour home support out in the community as well as a variety of support programs including mental health, palliative care and extreme cleaning

General Social Service Resources

211 Toronto: directory of all of the community, social, health and government services available in Toronto
City of Toronto Guide to Service for People Who are Homeless: comprehensive guide of services and supports for homeless individuals
Community Resource Connections of Toronto: a guide of community supports for consumer/survivors