[ Browse by Service Category : Basic Needs : Sub-Topics of Housing/Shelter (184) ]

At Risk/Homeless Housing Related Assistance Programs

Programs authorized under federal or provincial legislation or local government initiatives that provide financial assistance and supportive services for individuals and/or families who are homeless or at risk for homelessness. Included are prevention programs that help people at imminent risk for homelessness preserve current housing or secure alternative housing; diversion programs that help people actively seeking shelter to identify and access viable alternatives including shared housing arrangements and transitional housing/shelter; and rapid re-housing programs that help people who are already homeless move as quickly as possible into permanent housing. Services may include case management, rental deposits, rent assistance, utility deposits, housing search assistance, moving expenses, expenses related to non-shelter temporary housing in situations where permanent housing has been secured but is currently unavailable, and other costs the family may incur in the process of acquiring or maintaining housing. Allowable activities, eligibility criteria and other requirements vary depending on the jurisdiction, the funding source and the focus of the program.

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Emergency Shelter

Programs that provide a temporary place to stay for newcomers, travellers, people who are in crisis, or homeless individuals in the community.

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Home Improvement/Accessibility

Programs that pay for or provide assistance in the form of consultation, labour and/or supplies for people want to build an accessible home or need to upgrade their homes to make them attractive, safe, accessible and energy-efficient.

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Home Insurance

Programs that issue insurance policies to homeowners and renters to protect them from loss of property due to theft, destruction or the inability to meet mortgage obligations. Also included are programs that help people obtain a home insurance policy.

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Home Purchase/Construction Financing/Refinancing

Programs that provide direct or guaranteed loans or grants for the construction, purchase or refinancing of a home.

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Housing Counselling

Programs that provide comprehensive assistance for people who want to rent or purchase housing including information and guidance about buying and rental costs; how to select affordable housing that meets individual needs; and how to provide for insurance, maintenance and other requirements related to acquiring and paying for housing.

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Housing Expense Assistance

Programs that pay current housing bills or finance new living accommodations for people who are otherwise unable to provide for their housing needs. Housing expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.

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Housing Search and Information

Programs that help people to find and select available rental or purchasable housing, commercial lots and/or residential lots which meet their individual needs. Included is information that is available online, in print or in other formats.

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Moving Services

Programs that provide assistance for people who are moving from one residence to another or who are moving their homes from one location to another.

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Residential Housing Options

Temporary or long-term residential options for individuals and families who are looking for housing. Included are market rate and subsidized rental and purchase options; facilities for people who do not want to establish independent households or cannot afford to do so; and housing for older adults and people with disabilities who are capable of maintaining independent living in a communal environment without any form of supervision, care or support. Structures may include single family dwellings, apartment buildings, duplexes, triplexes, congregate living facilities, mobile home parks, single room occupancy (SRO) housing and other shared housing facilities.

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Subsidized Housing Administrative Organizations

Organizations that make rental housing more readily available to low-income individuals and families by administering federal and local housing programs.

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Supportive Housing

Programs that provide an alternative living arrangement for individuals who, because of age, disability, substance abuse, mental illness, chronic homelessness or other circumstances, are unable to live independently without care, supervision and/or support to help them in the activities of daily living; or who need access to case management, housing support, vocational, employment and other services to transition to independent living.

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Transitional Housing/Shelter

Programs that provide extended shelter and supportive services primarily for homeless individuals and/or families with the goal of helping them live independently and transition into permanent housing. Some programs require that the individual/family be transitioning from a short-term emergency shelter. The length of stay varies considerably by program. It is generally longer than two weeks but typically 60 days or more and, in many cases, up to two years or more. The supportive services may be provided directly by the organization managing the housing or may be coordinated by them and provided by other public or private agencies. Transitional housing/shelter is generally provided in apartment style facilities with a higher degree of privacy than short-term homeless shelters; may be provided at no cost to the resident; and may be configured for specialized groups within the homeless population such as substance use disorders homeless mentally ill, homeless domestic violence victims, veterans or homeless people with AIDS/HIV. Included are post-domestic violence shelter housing programs that make affordable rental housing (or other accommodations) available to women, generally those who are coming directly out of a domestic violence shelter or other crisis shelter, often in apartment complexes owned by the shelter; and programs that provide transitional housing and support services for other targeted groups such as military and veteran families and others who need a temporary supportive living environment to maintain stability and begin to thrive.

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The above terms and definitions are part of the Taxonomy of Human Services, used here by permission of INFO LINE of Los Angeles.


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