COVID-19 housing and homelessness update
Keeping you informed about our available services and how we're working to protect you.
Homelessness services are available to all individuals who present a need. Our services have been deemed essential by the Ontario Government and will continue to operate.
Screenings at all our services are in place to ensure that suspected COVID-19 cases can be redirected to Peel Public Health for investigation and direction.
We have made provisions for anyone who is homeless and needs to self-isolate including anyone who presents at COVID-19 Assessment Centres. View our referral process (PDF).
View our handouts and resources section for printed material to support your program or building.
Street outreach
Hours are being offered from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekend. Call 1-877-848-8481.
Learn more about the street outreach program.
Shelters and transitional facilities
Contact the shelter before going or call the Region of Peel at 905-453-1300. Find an emergency shelter.
Additional supports are being provided. View our system response (PDF).
These supports include:
- Signage, physical distancing protocols, screening, extra cleaning and personal protective equipment for clients and staff, and;
- An isolation program for clients who need to self-isolate and/or being tested for COVID-19, and;
- A recovery program for those who are recovering from the virus.
We have developed the following guide for our Homelessness Services to follow while operating during this pandemic. Here's our COVID-19 Guide for Homelessness Services (PDF).
Each homelessness service has a site-specific plan:
- Angela's Place (PDF)
- Brampton Queen Street Youth Shelter (PDF)
- Cawthra Shelter (PDF)
- St. Leonard's (PDF)
- Our Place Peel (PDF)
- Peel Family Shelter (PDF)
- Peel Youth Village (PDF)
- Refugee Shelter (PDF)
- Wilkinson Shelter (PDF)
The following resources for housing and homelessness providers to download, print and use:
- Entrance sign (PDF)
- Physical distancing (PDF)
- Physical distancing tips (PDF)
- Physical distancing in common eating areas (PDF)
- Keep healthy in common eating areas (PDF)
- Hand washing (PDF)
- Harm reduction tips (PDF)
- How to self-monitor (PDF)
- How to self-isolate (PDF)
- Overdose response tips (PDF)
Enumeration
As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak the 2020 Point in Time Count is cancelled. All community stakeholders will be updated when new information is available.
Housing providers and tenants
Housing providers are urged to close all common rooms or community spaces and postpone all in-person community programs. Providers are also urged to postpone all in-person meetings including Board meetings and all General Membership Meetings.
Prevention
Providers are urged to close all common rooms or community spaces and postpone all in-person community programs. Providers are also urged to postpone all in-person meetings including Board meetings and all General Membership Meetings.
It is expected that Public Health Ontario disinfecting guidelines (PDF) are followed for building maintenance. These guidelines are especially important for high traffic areas such as building entrances, elevators and laundry rooms. Cleaning processes should be shared with tenants. We ask that you post signs reminding tenants of the importance of hand washing and to avoid touching any shared surfaces.
Operations
Housing providers should postpone issuing any Notice of Decisions for Loss of Eligibility. And please be advised that until further notice, all Service Manager Appeals for Loss of Subsidy are on hold.
Evictions
- The Ontario government has suspended all new evictions considering the COVID-19 crisis. Landlord and Tenant Board is postponing all in-person hearings.
- Providers must discontinue issuing all Landlord and Tenant Board notices and discontinue any applications for eviction.
- Providers must not proceed with any eviction orders currently in progress.
Visit Tribunals Ontario for additional information.
Leasing units
Continue to lease units practicing physical distancing and using online options where possible. Track vacancies and the efforts made to fill them.
Support for tenants
It's important to note that these measures should be in place for all tenants inclusive of those paying market rent.
- Accommodating late or missing rent payments and allowing for payment arrangements to be made once the emergency situation is resolved.
- Not charging tenants any bank fees including insufficient funds (NSF).
- Allowing tenants to cancel preauthorized rental payments.
- No late fees being applied to any member accounts.
Housing Providers, if this creates financial hardship for you, please contact your Housing Specialist.
