Housing Outreach Services

Our Housing Outreach Program works to ensure stable living arrrangements. We know it can be hard to find and keep housing, which is why we have a variety of options to help tenants and landlords. Whether help is needed with filling out housing forms or talking to a landlord, our program is here every step of the way.

Our staff know a lot about housing and are ready to provide resources, help with understanding legal processes like Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) hearings, and tenant rights as someone renting under the Residential Tenancies Act. Our services include:

Ensuring Housing Stability — We address underlying issues contributing to homelessness and help people stay in their homes for the long term. We empower clients with important knowledge about their rights as tenants and how to manage money well to become independent.
Housing Search Resources — We provide free housing search resources like websites with
listings of available places. Our staff will guide users through these resources to find a home that suits needs.
Assistance with Housing Applications — We help with the paperwork needed to apply for
housing, like the Durham Access to Social Housing (DASH) application or rental forms. Our team makes sure all the right documents are prepared and submits applications correctly to increase the chances of finding a home.
Advocacy and Mediation with Landlords — Our program helps find ways to solve problems with landlords, like fixing things in the home or dealing with unfair rent increases. We want to make sure tenants and landlords can talk openly and find fair solutions that protect tenant rights.
Financial Support Programs — We can connect individuals to financial help with housing through various programs like the Housing Stability Program (HSP) for help with last month’s rent, rental, and utility bills, and moving costs. Additionally, we offer in-house support for the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP), and we can provide referrals to the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) to help clients maintain and secure housing.
Basic Budgeting Workshops — We teach basic budgeting skills to manage money and maintain housing. Our workshops focus on making budgets, tracking expenses, and finding help from the community if needed.
Obtaining Essential ID — Accessing essential identification documents is crucial for housing applications and accessing services. We assist clients in obtaining birth certificates and Ontario Photo Cards through our services, removing barriers to housing and support.
Support at Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) Hearings — If there are legal problems with a landlord, we will support clients at hearings with the Landlord and Tenant Board. Our team will help prepare and connect clients with legal help if needed.
Education on Residential Tenancies Act and Tenant Rights — We make sure renters understand their rights under the law. We offer workshops and one-on-one sessions to learn about lease agreements, what to do if a tenant faces eviction, and more.
Supportive Help for Housing and Beyond — To help maintain stable housing, our agency also connects clients with other services we offer. For instance, we can help with job searching because we know that having both stable housing and employment is important for overall well-being.
Community Integration Services — Once housing is sorted, we help clients connect with other services in the community that might be helpful.