Our Mission

Homes First develops and provides affordable, stable housing and support services to break the cycle of homelessness for people with the fewest housing options.

About Homes First

Homes First Society (Homes First) is Toronto’s largest provider of homelessness and housing services. For 40 years, client service has always been our first priority, and all departments of the organization are committed to best serving the populations who seek our assistance.

During this time, Homes First has maintained a ‘housing first’ model with a client-centred approach; we focus on providing comprehensive wrap-around services to our residents in both shelter and housing, guided by their own goals. Supporting those who are considered ‘hardest-to-house’ has long been a pillar of the Homes First mission. We understand ‘complex needs’ to be any individual who has multiple, interconnected and layered challenges, which compound, making it difficult to maintain housing.

Homes First operates 25 properties, serving more than 2,300 people each night. We operate over 25% of all shelter beds in the City of Toronto across our 9 shelters and serve approximately 500 individuals across our 15 supportive housing sites.

From an organizational capacity standpoint, we are well-positioned to effect sustainable, needs-focused, community-oriented capacity building. We actively communicate and collaborate with local residents, associations and organizations to ensure each step towards a Homefull Toronto is truly reflective of its inhabitants.

What does it mean to be ‘HOMEFULL’? 

Not having a place to call home robs thousands in our city of the dignity and quality of life that we all deserve and desire for ourselves and those we love. Homelessness in Toronto is on the rise.

We believe Toronto should be Homefull.
A city FULL of homes.
A city FULL of hope.
A city where everyone experiences the warmth, comfort, stability, and security that a home provides.

We believe a Homefull Toronto is a place where everyone experiences health and wholeness and has access to the opportunities, support, and resources they need to thrive.

We aim for homeFULLness in all that we do because we believe that everyone needs a home and a roof over someone’s head is just the beginning…

“Home is wherever you leave everything you love and never question that it will be there when you return.” — Leo Christopher

For more information on the Homefull Toronto Campaign, please visit www.homefulltoronto.ca.