Transitional housing helps people who have histories of homelessness, addiction, or periods of incarceration – to find and keep a home.
145 Queen Street Housing
The 145 Queen Street East housing program offers 76 shared units available to people of all genders. Staff are on-site 24 hours a day to provide support, share information on programs and services, and offer referrals to doctors, dentists, legal assistance, training, and employment opportunities. Residents are also encouraged to participate in our Open House Drop-in Program, held on the main floor every weekday.
The 145 Queen Housing Program is dedicated to working with chronically homeless tenants to help them access and maintain supportive housing in shared accommodations. This program provides a safe space for people experiencing deep poverty, many of whom have a history of chronic homelessness and often face the long-term effects of trauma and substance use. Through a harm reduction, eviction prevention, and community engagement framework, the program aims to reduce isolation and build community by offering engaging programs and activities.
To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years or older with a history of chronic homelessness, and access to services is provided through referrals from our partner programs, including THP, Open House Drop-In, 40 Oak Housing Support, and HASS.
Mary Sheffield House
Mary Sheffield House, named after our founder, is a transitional shelter serving senior women aged 55+ who are vulnerable due to complex physical, mental health, developmental, and/or substance-use related issues. At Mary Sheffield House, staff work closely with each woman to help find housing and establish appropriate supports, ensuring they do not end up back on the street.
Senior women are often not well-served in city shelters, drop-ins, and housing, as they require specialized care and services. These women need a safe place to call home, resources to address their health and financial issues, and programs that restore their confidence and dignity, giving them the time and space to make important life decisions.
This building has been retrofitted for accessibility, featuring ramps, large washrooms, and an elevator. Mary Sheffield House is a 26-bed program that serves cis and trans women aged 55+ who face vulnerabilities due to various complex issues. The program offers case management and housing services through an anti-oppressive framework, following harm reduction principles and a strength-based approach, while collaborating with other agencies in the sector. Residents are welcome to bring their pets to the shelter.
To be eligible, women must be aged 55+ and referred by a case manager from a Toronto Shelter. They should be newly homeless or have been in the shelter system for the first time within the past 12 months at the time of referral. Applicants must be mobile, able to live independently, and have proof of income (ODSP, OW, CPP, OAS, OSAP, Employment). They must also provide identification and proof of status. Women with pets who will stay at Mary Sheffield House must ensure their pets are licensed and vaccinated before moving in.
Transitional Housing Program 145 Queen Street East (City Funded)
The Transitional Housing Program (THP) is a one-year initiative designed to support adults experiencing homelessness in their journey towards finding and maintaining permanent housing. Open to all genders, the program offers case management services to residents, helping them set and achieve personal goals, particularly in securing stable housing. THP is inclusive of people with varying levels of stability and complexity, provided they can live independently, have high system use, and are dealing with active substance use issues.
Participants must qualify for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing and be referred through Streets to Homes. Eligible applicants are adults experiencing homelessness who can provide proof of status in Canada, income verification (preferably a Notice of Assessment), and are committed to working with case managers to achieve permanent housing.
Transitional Housing Program 145 Queen Street East (LHIN Funded)
The Transitional Housing Program (THP) is a one-year program offering case management support to residents as they work towards their goals, particularly in finding and maintaining housing. Open to all genders, the program is inclusive of individuals with varying levels of stability and complexity, provided they can live independently and have a history of high system use and active substance use issues. All participants must qualify for Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) housing.
Applicants to the housing must be 18 or older, identify with any gender, and be homeless at intake. They should have a high use of Emergency Room, hospital inpatient, or Withdrawal Management Services, meeting criteria such as 20 or more ER admissions in the past year or 8 or more WMS admissions in the past year. An active substance use issue and the ability to live independently are required. Applicants must be motivated to transition from the streets with goals towards permanent housing and be willing to participate in case management. Proof of status in Canada is also required.
Women’s Transition to Housing
The Women’s Transition to Housing program is a rapid re-housing initiative designed to prevent women from becoming chronic shelter users by providing the privacy, safety, and support necessary to quickly transition them into stable housing. Recognizing that women’s mental health, life skills, and employment prospects can deteriorate the longer they remain in emergency shelters, this program offers crucial assistance to women who have been homeless for less than one year. Over a 12-month period, participants receive comprehensive support to find housing, secure employment, and establish independent lives.
This 37-bed program is operated by Fred Victor under the guidance of the City of Toronto. Women who are newly homeless, mobile, and motivated to move into permanent housing are provided with individual units featuring en-suite washrooms, access to food, 24/7 staffing, and enhanced case management services. The program also offers trauma-informed care, with supports for mental health, addictions, and harm reduction. Participants have access to on-site kitchens, laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi, ensuring a comfortable and supportive environment.
The Women’s Transition to Housing program is closely connected with CAMH and the Sherbourne Health Centre, providing integrated care to help participants achieve their personal goals and rebuild their lives.
To be eligible, participants must identify as women aged 18+ who are newly homeless or have been in the shelter system for the first time within the past 12 months, mobile, able to live independently, have proof of income, ID, and status, ensure pets are licensed and vaccinated, be actively working towards their personal goals, and be referred through a case manager from a Toronto shelter.