Community Services
Community Services supports those who need it most, including children, vulnerable individuals and older adults.
Working with community partners, cities / towns and other levels of government, Community Services plans, delivers and coordinates services including:
- Homelessness and housing supports
- Income and employment programs
- Child care and early years services
- Seniors' and long-term care services
- Community safety and well-being initiatives
These efforts strengthen stability and contribute to a more prosperous and inclusive community.
Henri Koning
Commissioner
905-980-6000
ext. 3800
Email Henri Koning
Divisions
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Children's Services
Children's Services is responsible for the planning, administration and financial support of approximately 14,700 licensed child care spaces in Niagara for children birth to 12 years of age. The division:
- Works collaboratively with approximately 70 child care service providers to provide quality licensed child care in Niagara in 175 child care locations
- Operates five directly operated centres and a licensed home child care program
- Provides monthly fee subsidy payments for 2,500 children, based on assessment of household financial need
- Plans and manages EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Niagara on behalf of the provincial government
Contact
905-980-6000 ext. 3803
Email Children's Services -
Homelessness Services
The Homelessness Services division supports homelessness services by working with and funding local service providers to address the needs of Niagara's most vulnerable residents. The homelessness service system, in accordance with provincial funding requirements includes:
- Prevention
- Outreach
- Emergency shelters
- Supportive and transitional housing
- Coordination and delivery of the Region's Housing and Homelessness Action Plan
Contact
905-980-6000 ext. 3808
Email Homelessness Services -
Housing Services
Housing Services provides low-income housing options through legislated programs and services, including:
- Public housing that is rent-geared-to-income (about 30 percent of household income)
- Non-profit and co-operative housing
- Rent supplement and housing allowance programs
- Niagara Renovates, a program that helps low to moderate income homeowners with house repairs, accessibility modifications and the creation of secondary suites in single family homes
- Housing First, a program that helps those who are homeless find and keep housing
- Welcome Home Niagara Homeownership, which helps low to moderate income rental households buy their first home
- New development, construction, renovation and rehabilitation of rental housing for low to moderate income tenants
Contact
905-980-6000 ext. 3930
Email Housing Services -
Seniors Services
Seniors Services provides high quality, compassionate care for residents and clients through a range of integrated programs and partnerships including:
- Wellness, outreach and residential programs supporting the well-being of older adults
- Seven long-term care homes
Contact
905-980-6000 ext. 3806
Email Seniors Services -
Social Assistance
The Social Assistance division is responsible for the delivery of the provincially mandated Ontario Works program and discretionary benefits. The division provides:
- Dental services for adults, funeral services and other items needed for the health and safety of Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients
- Employment supports for family members of Ontario Disability Support Program clients
- Financial support and comprehensive case management to help people prepare for, find and keep a job, including individualized case planning and life stability supports
- Niagara Prosperity Initiative which provides an annual investment of $1.5 million to support local poverty reduction activities
Contact
905-980-6000 ext. 3811
Email Social Assistance
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
