housing help
Housing Help Centre at Community Care
129 Church St., St. Catharines, ON L2R 3E2 · 905.984.8955 or email
housing@communitycarestca.ca for housing or energy@communitycarestca.ca for utility support
HOW WE HELP
- We identify and work closely with those at risk of homelessness due to eviction or housing loss
- Referrals to legal support, income supports and other programs
- Support solutions to tenancy issues
- Engage with landlords and help mediate
- Rapid rehousing for those who’ve lost housing
- Help finding safe alternatives to shelter
- Money Management – Trusteeship Service (including youth, 16 – 24 years old)
- ID Clinic for vulnerable people without a permanent address – click here for referrals
- Assistance with discharge from institutions
- Receiving mail for people without a permanent address
- Referrals to other resources, programs and services in the community
- RentSmart training
- Utility Assistance and help with OESP – click here for more info
Housing Help Services
For more information on Housing Programs, please review service descriptions and how to register.
Housing Help Centre
Are you at risk of losing your housing because of an eviction, family breakdown or any another reason? Have you recently lost your housing and need help? Contact our Prevention team for help!
To reach the housing team, email housing@communitycarestca.ca or call 905-984-8955 and press 1 or dial extension 214. Depending on your needs and the urgency of your situation, we can make some initial referrals, schedule an intake or do an immediate intake.
If you are in an urgent crisis, just lost your housing or facing imminent eviction in the next 72 hours, press 0 to get to the front desk.
If you need legal advice or representation at an upcoming hearing, contact the Niagara Legal Clinic for an intake as soon as possible.
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.
Niagara Regional Housing
You can find applications and information about how to apply to Niagara Regional Housing at nrh.ca. Paper applications are also availabe at NRH or at our office. We can help submit your application. NRH will contact you about missing information.
Trusteeship & Money Management
The Housing Help Centre offers a short-term voluntary trusteeship program for people on ODSP and OW and in housing crisis or at risk of homelessness. The program supports people from entering or re-entering the homelessness system and includes housing support, referrals, case management, assistance opening a bank account, and assistance budgeting until housing is stabilized.
For youth on Ontario Works between the ages of 16 – 18, trusteeship is legislated, and our agency supports youth at risk and transitioning from care with housing goals.
For those considering trusteeship or for agencies wanting to make a referral, other options to trusteeship should be explored before considering trusteeship, including setting up day directs for rent with Ontario Works and ODSP.
To learn more about youth trusteeship (16 – 24), send your questions here.
To learn more about adult trusteeship (25 +), send your questions here.
ID Clinic
The ID clinic assists people experiencing homelessness, living in shelter, or in crisis to apply for birth certificates and other forms of ID, and we provide support for shelters and outreach workers in getting ID for their clients in need.
The ID clinic operates on Wednesday afternoons.
The clinic prioritizes people in housing crisis. To refer yourself or a client in crisis, click here
You can also email hhc@communitycarestca.ca or (905) 984-8955 ext. 305
Utility Assistance
The Ontario Energy Board offers various programs to assist with your utility bills:
OESP – The Ontario Electricity Support Program is a monthly rebate to qualifying customers on a low income. You can apply directly online on your own, or you can get help with your application. Click here for more information on getting assistance with your application.
LEAP programs – If you are in financial crisis and are facing a disconnection, there is also one-time emergency assistance available for those having trouble paying your utility bills. To learn about the application process to our utility assistance programs, click here.
our housing work, defined
Our main goal at the Housing Help Centre – to reduce the # of people becoming homeless due to eviction or housing loss through Prevention, Diversion, and Rapid Resolution
- Prevention activities occur before an individual/family has legally lost their ability to reside at an address. The goal is sustaining an existing safe, appropriate tenancy.
- Diversion activities occur once an individual/family has legally lost their housing, but prior to shelter entry. We assist to explore safe, appropriate options in community.
- Rapid Resolution activities occur within the first 1-2 weeks of a shelter/emergency stay when an individual/family cannot find a safe and appropriate alternative.
Contact housing@communitycarestca.ca or call 905-984-8955 for more information or support!
Services
Food Security
We provide nutritious, accessible food to those in need.
Housing Help
We assist those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, are recieving government assistance, or are facing eviction.
Health Support
Dental, vision care & medical supports are often available based on funding. Inquire about eligibility.
Family Support
From newborns & new parents to seniors, we have programs to assist with essentials for everyone in our community.
