Community Supports for Homelessness

Community members who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of becoming homeless, can access a range of services and supports provided by community partners and local agencies.

If your agency delivers services for individuals that are experiencing homelessness, and you would like your information shared on the City of Brantford website, please contact housingstability@brantford.ca.

SOAR Community Services

SOAR, 73 Murray Street, Brantford

519-759-1290 or 1-888-621-0034

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Drop-in appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis or can be scheduled in advance

A free community service that assists individuals at risk of homelessness to maintain their housing, and supports individuals experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing within Brantford-Brant. Supports include:

  • Referrals to services such as addictions and mental health, employment supports, legal clinic, ID and tax clinics, income support, and local food banks.
  • Help completing applications including the Centralized Waitlist and the Housing Stability Fund.
  • Shower and laundry facilities available Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Support with housing searches and tenant rights/ responsibilities

SOAR, 73 Murray Street, Brantford

Available 7 days/week.

  • In-person 8 a.m. - Midnight (12 a.m.)
  • Over the phone/intercom 24/7, 519-759-1290 or 1-888-621-0034

Supports include:

  • Shelter diversion
  • Support accessing emergency housing
  • Snacks, coffee, water, and various necessities available during in-person service hours
  • Transportation arrangements, if applicable 

SOAR, 133 Elgin St, Brantford

  • Mental Health Walk-in Clinic Monday and Wednesday 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Crisis counsellors available 24/7 by phone 519-759-7188 or 1-866-811-7188

Grand River Community Health Centre (GRCHC)

363 Colborne Street, Brantford

Clinics support individuals who do not currently have access to primary health care.

Clinic teams deliver a wide range of services including medical assessments, mental health support, harm reduction, sexual health care, wound care, immunizations, and assist individuals connect to community resources.

Drop-in Clinic: Wednesdays from 11:30-3 pm at St. Andrew’s Church, 95 Darling Street, Brantford

Community Legal Clinic

Provides free legal advice and support. 519-752-8669 for Brantford-Brant

www.bhnlegalclinic.ca

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

ODSP is a social assistance program provided by the Government of Ontario, designed to support Ontario residents who have a disability and are in financial need.

To learn more or apply go to www.Ontario.ca/ODSP or call 519-756-5790.

Ontario Works (OW)

OW provides financial assistance for those in need. If you are already in receipt of OW, you can call your worker at 519-759-3330.

To learn more or apply call 1-888-999-1142 or visit www.Ontario.ca/OntarioWorks

Brantford Public Library

The Brantford Public Library’s Social Service Outreach Worker connects with Brantford's community members to help empower them through education, referrals, advocacy, social support, and responding to the needs of each individual. The library provides a safe, friendly, and inclusive space to access services. The office is located on the first floor of the Main Branch. Please visit the Brantford Public Library's website for hours of service.

How They Can Help:

  • Community resources - help with finding food, clothing, showers, mental health resources, and substance abuse resources
  • Computers - help with using email and job searches.
  • Completing applications - help with applying for government ID, health care, Service Canada, employment
  • Care kits - supplies, hygiene items, clothes.
  • Telephone support
  • System navigation and a safe space to talk.

Positive Health Network

Positive Health Network operates regional van-based mobile Harm Reduction Distribution programs, offering the delivery of harm reduction supplies, safer sex supplies, and naloxone, as well as accepting used needle returns for safe disposal in Six Nations, Brant County and Brantford.

The Regional Van program can be contacted by phone or text at 289-440-4912 to arrange a meeting time and location on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays: 11:00am – 3:00pm.

Additional programs include:

  • Support services
  • Harm reduction outreach
  • African, Caribbean, and Black Outreach Program
  • Men4Men supports
  • Women and HIV
  • HIV self-testing

Indigenous Supports

274 Colborne St, Brantford 519-304-7400

Gihekdagye is a Friendship Centre that promotes culture and traditions supporting the Urban Indigenous Community in the areas of Brant, Haldimand, and Norfolk counties.

Supports include:

  • Assistance with housing applications, advocacy, and navigation
  • Support obtaining ID and gaining education, training, and employment
  • Mental health and wellness programs that focus on strengthening wellness, connection, and cultural identity within the urban Indigenous community
  • Healing program for individuals and families
  • Seniors Life-Long Care Program, offering Indigenous seniors with culturally inclusive programming that promotes healthy aging, independence, social connection, and overall wellness
  • Indigenous court worker and justice peer support programs, supporting Indigenous youth and adults with the justice system
  • Cultural resource programing provides opportunities for Indigenous community members to connect with, learn about, and strengthen their cultural identity, traditions, and teachings
  • Snack bags and free clothing donations

Gihekdagye offers outreach support on Tuesday afternoons and Reaching Home Program Drop-in on Fridays from 9-11 am and 1-3 pm at the Gihekdagye office. During these drop-ins, clients can ask any housing related questions, resources, assistance completing housing applications, housing search support, and snack bags.

318 Colborne Street E, Brantford 519-756-2205

Brantford Native Housing (BNH) offers culturally grounded housing and outreach services for urban Indigenous individuals and families in Brantford and Brant County. BNH offers holistic, wrap-around services rooted in Indigenous values, traditions, and community connection.

Resources include:

  • Support with community referrals and access to essential local services
  • Assistance in obtaining personal identification documents, including Status Card applications
  • Transitional housing support for women, men, youth, and families
  • Assistance in completing housing applications
  • Daily snack bags available for those in need
  • Access to free clothing for all genders
  • Distribution of free traditional medicines
  • Personal hygiene kits at no cost

Looking for more information?

  • Do you or someone you know need access to emergency shelter? Please visit our Emergency Shelter page.
  • Are you wondering how we provide homelessness services in Brantford-Brant? Please visit our Homelessness Coordinated Access System page.
  • Do you want to know more about how our community supports individuals living in encampments?Please visit our Encampment Response page.
  • Are you wondering what can you do to help? Please visit our Take Action page for more information.

Contact Us

Housing and Homelessness Services
58 Dalhousie Street
Brantford, Ontario N3T 2J2

T. 519-759-4150
F. 519-759-1750
Toll free: 1-833-771-1163
E-mail Housing and Homelessness Services
Map this Location.

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