Building the Path to Home

Transitional housing

Most people live in transitional housing for a few weeks to a few years until they are able to find more stable homes, or have learned the necessary skills to live independently. People usually share a room in transitional housing. Transitional housing options include:

• Griffin Community Support Network (GCSN)
• The Salvation Army
• shelters with case management teams
• shelters with access to shared care teams.

Griffin Community Support Network

The shelters in Toronto that work with the GCSN (e.g., Fred Victor Centre, Women's Residence, Maxwell Meighen Centre, Evangeline Residence, Youth Without Shelter) may be able to help a person with a dual diagnosis. When you contact a shelter, ask if it is part of the GCSN. GCSN offers safe beds for people with a dual diagnosis who are in crisis. Contact the GCSN for more information.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army runs primary support units for men and women. These units offer more support than the typical shelter. Call 416 762-9636 for more information.

Shelters with case management teams

Seaton House (416 392-5522), Women's Residence (Toronto Shelter Support and Housing Unit) and Fred Victor Women's Hostel have case management programs and dedicated housing workers who can help find housing and plan support networks. These shelters also help people get health care. Ask to meet with the case worker and plan services together.

Shelters with access to shared care teams

Some shelters have a relationship with a team that offers mental health assessment, and some monitoring and treatment of mental health problems. Some shelters can access a case manager or a homeless outreach worker (e.g., Hostel Outreach Program through either COTAHealth or Community Resource Connections of Toronto).

Issues to consider

Think about the sensitivities and characteristics of the person before deciding whether a particular shelter—or the shelter system in general—is a workable solution for even a short period of time. Note that:

• Shelters are tough places. People need to be streetwise to survive.
• Some people need more structure, some need less structure and minimal expectations.
• There is very little privacy in a shelter, and the proximity to others can agitate a person who tends to be fearful. Many shelters are crowded, particularly in winter. Consider how much noise and activity the person can cope with.

Other resources

• Street Helpline: 416 392-3777
• Habitat Services: 416 537-2721
• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health housing database
• 211Toronto (for a full listing of 60 shelters in Toronto, choose Homelessness and type "shelters" in Find field)
• 2006 Guide to Services for People Who Are Homeless (produced by the Toronto Shelter, Support & Housing Administration)

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