Homes First

Homes First
Name	Homes First
Type	Non-profit organization
Founded	1970s
Founder	Community activists
Headquarters	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Area served	Toronto, Ontario
Focus	Homelessness, Supportive housing, Affordable housing

Homes First

Homes First is a Toronto-based non-profit organization providing supportive housing and homelessness services in Ontario. It operates scattered-site and congregate housing programs and collaborates with municipal, provincial, and national partners to deliver wraparound supports. The organization is active in urban policy debates, service delivery networks, and community development initiatives across Toronto neighbourhoods.

History

Homes First originated in the 1970s from tenant advocacy and shelter movements in Toronto, influenced by activists connected to Tenants' rights movement groups and community housing campaigns alongside organizations such as Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, David Crombie era housing policy debates, and coalitions responding to downtown shelter crises. Early projects involved converting derelict buildings into supportive residences, linking efforts with agencies like Fred Victor Centre, St. Michael's Hospital (Toronto), and faith-based partners including St. Patrick's Parish (Toronto). Over subsequent decades the group expanded during periods marked by provincial initiatives such as programs associated with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Ontario) and federal agendas like those promoted under the National Housing Strategy (Canada). The evolution of Homes First reflects interactions with municipal administrations including the offices of Mayors of Toronto, and policy shifts following inquiries into urban homelessness and public health responses linked to events such as the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario.

Mission and Programs

The stated mission centers on providing supportive housing, harm reduction, and tenant-centered services through partnerships with agencies such as Ontario Works, Toronto Public Health, and community mental health providers like Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Programs include congregate shelters, scattered-site supportive units, transitional housing, and tenancy-preservation services coordinated with agencies such as Toronto Community Housing Corporation and outreach teams that interface with Street Health (Toronto). Harm reduction and clinical supports are delivered in collaboration with providers such as South Riverdale Community Health Centre and peer-led groups connected to the Canadian AIDS Society. Employment and life-skills programming often engage funders and partners like United Way Greater Toronto and local workforce initiatives tied to Employment Ontario.

Organizational Structure and Governance

Homes First is governed by a volunteer board of directors drawn from fields represented by leaders associated with institutions like University of Toronto, Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), and community health networks including Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (pre-restructuring). Executive leadership typically includes a chief executive officer and directors overseeing operations, finance, housing, and clinical services, interfacing with regulatory bodies such as the Landlord and Tenant Board (Ontario) and reporting to municipal funders like the City of Toronto. Governance practices reflect non-profit norms similar to those of organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Canada and Mission Services of London (Ontario), with stakeholder engagement from tenant advisory councils and partnerships with legal clinics like Downtown Legal Services.

Funding and Partnerships

Funding streams combine government capital and operating subsidies from entities such as the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada, project financing via programs connected to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and philanthropic support from foundations including Ontario Trillium Foundation and corporate donors. Operational partnerships include health agencies like Toronto Public Health, harm-reduction suppliers, and social service networks such as Community Care Access Centre (predecessor structures) and non-profits like Covenant House Toronto. Collaborative projects have been supported through coalitions involving advocacy groups such as ACORN (community union) and policy organizations like the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.

Impact and Outcomes

Homes First has housed hundreds of individuals through long-term supportive units and emergency placements, contributing to municipal reduction strategies alongside initiatives led by City of Toronto Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division. Evaluations often reference outcomes comparable to studies from the Wellesley Institute and research conducted in partnership with academic centres at York University and University of Toronto faculties examining housing stability, health service use, and reductions in shelter recidivism. Contributions include tenant retention, improved access to clinical services, and community-based innovations in harm reduction mirrored in pilot programs elsewhere in Ontario and Canada.

Criticism and Controversies

Critiques leveled at Homes First mirror broader debates about supportive housing: tensions over neighbourhood impacts similar to disputes seen with Toronto Community Housing Corporation redevelopments, concerns raised by community associations and councillors in wards represented by Toronto City Council members, and disputes over client behaviours that have prompted responses from local policing bodies like the Toronto Police Service and public safety discussions in forums such as Toronto Star editorial coverage. Some controversies have centered on funding allocations debated at hearings involving the Ontario Auditor General and municipal budget panels, and on program efficacy comparisons featured in analyses by think tanks like the Fraser Institute and advocacy responses from groups such as Federation of Metro Tenants' Associations.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Toronto