DESCRIPTION
Our project will improve housing stability and security through an Eviction Prevention Housing Worker (EPHW) for clients experiencing eviction risk factors across Toronto and York Region. Approximately 34% of our Housing Program clients are at a moderate to significant risk of homelessness/eviction due to mental health, lack of compliance to rental agreements, hoarding, and challenges with activities of daily living. The EPHW will address eviction risk through fulsome supports including in-home services, connections to supportive resources, intensive case management, developing support plans with families and community organizations, emotional support, organizing clean ups to address hoarding, as well as financial support for housing stabilization (provided through a complimentary fund). The EPHW will serve 90 clients across three years, and will expand upon our Housing Program, which is operating on a 31-person waitlist. With current capacity, we are unable to provide comprehensive eviction prevention services, but this fund will enable us to support long-term client stability.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
A full-time Social Worker to fulfill the Eviction Prevention Housing Worker position will cost $100,000 per year. The worker will provide intensive eviction prevention case management services to approximately 30 community members per year, which includes housing searching, connecting clients to affordable housing units, advocacy, housing stabilization, emotional support, landlord support, and more. Through this role, the Social Worker will also distribute financial assistance for housing needs that will improve stability through a complimentary fund. Last year, we distributed $29,088 in financial assistance to Housing Program clients for needs including first/last month's rent, moving and set up costs, beds and mattresses, furniture delivery, and rental arrears. 22 unique households received this financial assistance ($1,322 on average per household). Clients served by the Eviction Prevention Housing Worker will also have access to these funds, as needed, as well as other services across our multiservice agency (financial empowerment services, tax completion, mental health counselling, etc.) that can address their housing stability needs through a holistic approach.
Target Completion Date
N/A
Populations Served
Mental Health
Total Project Cost
$300,000
Total Units
90
Affordable Units
90
Project Funding
Funding Required
$300,000 in staffing costs, which will support service provision for 90 clients experiencing eviction risk, over three years.
Funds Raised
The funding received for 2025-2026 was as follows: $124,766 (St. Clare's Multifaith Housing Society; to support staffing costs); $109,108 (York Region; to support staffing costs. Funding ends December 31, 2026); $75,000 (UJA; supports staffing and housing related requisitions). Any other housing staffing needs or costs are covered by a combination of UJA, United Way, and our own fundraising. In combination, these funds support approximately 177 clients annually in our Housing Program, which includes both case management (i.e., Staffing) and requisition supports for housing-related needs.
Use of funds
The funds will enable JF&CS to expand our Housing Program through hiring of an Eviction Prevention Housing Worker who will provide stabilization support to clients who are experiencing homelessness / eviction risk, through case management supports and direct financial assistance for essential housing-related needs. We will be able to broadly serve community members across Toronto and York Region, and will be able to address our program waitlist. We request $100,000 per year to cover staffing costs (salary and mandatory employment related expenses), over three years to ensure community members have access to holistic supports that enable long-term housing stability.
Human Impact Story
Our Housing Program served a 42-year-old client, who was previously a child in care experiencing complex and intersecting challenges, including longstanding mental health concerns and substance use. Prior to connecting with our Housing Program, the client experienced chronic homelessness, cycling through shelters and street homelessness. Traditional supportive housing models were not an appropriate fit. Due to significant challenges with interpersonal relationships and conflict management, living in environments with other individuals facing similar mental health and addiction issues, which often escalated housing tensions, the client experienced repeated breakdowns in housing placements. As a result, the client was considered extremely difficult to house and was at high risk of ongoing street homelessness, as well as frequent reliance on emergency services and hospital systems. Through our partnership with Kehilla Residential Program, we secured an affordable unit within a mixed income, market rent building, which was an environment better suited to the client's needs. With intensive case management and ongoing support from our Housing Program, the client successfully maintained housing. Our team has provided consistent intervention and advocacy, including navigating tenancy challenges with the Landlord and Tenant Board, which helped to stabilize the tenancy and prevent housing loss.
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