Supportive Housing Programs
Niagara Region funds the following supportive housing programs. Eligibility for supportive housing programs is guided by a coordinated access approach through Niagara Region's homelessness system.
Transitional housing
Transitional housing programs are longer-term, service-intensive and more private than emergency shelters. Stays in these programs are three to 18 months, depending on the population being served.
Transitional housing is meant to provide a safer and supportive environment where residents can overcome trauma. They can also begin to address the issues that led to homelessness or kept them homeless, and rebuild their support network.
Supports that help individuals move towards independence may be available on and off-site.
Contact the service providers for eligibility and program details.
- Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
- Boys and Girls Club of Niagara
- Canadian Mental Health Association, Niagara Branch
- The Hope Centre
- Matthew House
- Port Cares
- Start Me Up Niagara
- YWCA Niagara Region
Permanent supportive housing
Permanent supportive housing provides a safer, permanent housing option with individualized supports for residents in a community building. It features direct case management and onsite supports, and is designed for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness with complex needs related to:
- Mental or physical health
- Substance use
- Developmental disabilities
Bridge Housing
Bridge housing is a progressive short-term housing program. Staff work to address an individual's needs by acknowledging their trauma, addressing barriers and then connecting them to supports needed to get housing.
The program connects individuals to their community and provides a supportive foundation that can ensure continuous successful permanent housing.
Housing First
Housing First is a proven recovery-oriented approach to ending homelessness. It focuses on moving individuals experiencing chronic homelessness into independent and permanent housing. Using a strengths-based approach, case managers work weekly with individuals on:
- Goal setting
- System navigation
- Connection to community supports to achieve and maintain stable housing
Home for Good
The Home for Good program helps individuals with complex needs achieve and maintain independent housing. The program supports the Province of Ontario's goal of ending chronic homelessness by 2025. It provides supportive housing to individuals within the province's Home for Good priority areas. The priority areas are:
- Chronic homelessness
- Youth homelessness (aged 16-24 years)
- Indigenous homelessness
Housing and homelessness resources
For a list of housing and homelessness resources available in Niagara, call 211 or visit INCommunities.