Resources for Asylum Seekers in York Region

York Region Emergency Housing Central Intake Line

Anyone requiring immediate supports is encouraged to call the York Region Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140 to receive appropriate supports. 

Interim Emergency Housing  

York Region operates a hotel-based accommodation, where asylum seekers are provided temporary accommodations, and referrals to supports and services. 

NOTE:

At this time, York Region cannot accept onsite walk-in registrations. Anyone requiring immediate supports should call York Region’s Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140 to receive appropriate supports.

Access York

As the Region’s contact centre, Access York responds to inquiries about accessing programs and services. Asylum seekers in York Region looking for information should contact Access York by:

  • Phone: 1-877-464-9675, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Access York Customer Experience Associates can connect callers to translation services (160 different languages), if necessary
  • Email: @email

Supports available for asylum seekers

In Ontario, supports are available to asylum seekers, including free settlement help from settlement organizations, such as Welcome Centres.

Welcome Centres 

To support asylum seekers there are five Welcome Centres, located along public transit routes and provide services in multiple languages.

Welcome Centres provide a range of settlement-related services and information to newcomers, including referrals to social services, transit support, housing, employment supports, language interpretation and language training.

Learn more about Welcome Centres at york.ca/NewcomerServices 

Who does what: All levels of government play a critical part in supporting asylum seekers

It takes a coordinated approach from all levels of government to support asylum seekers and other newcomers. See below for more information on the supports provided by different levels of government. 

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Canada is responsible for border control and enforcement, determining refugee status and providing temporary work permits and documentation as well as health coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program.

Canada also supports provinces and municipalities to address interim housing costs resulting from increased numbers of asylum claimants. 

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

Ontario provides funding for settlement services, language training and assessments, emergency housing, child care, legal aid, social assistance (including drug and dental coverage) and post-secondary education (with limitations).

Ontario also provides the Ontario bridge training program to help internationally trained immigrants get employment in the field in which they were trained. 

For more information, visit Getting Settled in Ontario. 

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

York Region is the Service Manager responsible for delivering community housing, homelessness community programs, children’s services and social services.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT (LOCAL)

Local cities and towns provide services that fall under their jurisdiction such as parks and recreation, libraries, etc.

Federal and Provincial Government Services and Supports

Federal Government

Visit the Government of Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for information about applying for refugee status, refugee services, and how the refugee system in Canada works.

The Interim Federal Health Program covers certain health-care benefits for specific groups of people, including refugee claimants, until they become eligible for provincial or territorial health insurance.

You can also review frequently asked questions and answers by visiting IRCC's Help Centre.

Provincial Government

Social Assistance

Ontario Works is a provincial program that provides monthly financial assistance to cover basic needs and shelter cost to people eligible for the program. 

Refugee and Refugee Claimants may be eligible for Ontario Works through York Region if they: 

  • Live in the province
  • Are in financial need
  • Are willing to work towards finding employment

You can apply for Ontario Works, online or by calling 1-888-999-1142. 

For more information, contact Access York

Health Care

To get fast, free, health advice or find health services, please visit Health811 or call 811 (Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007). Health Connect Ontario is a free, secure and confidential service to get advice from a registered nurse or find health services or information — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Help is available in English and French, with translation support available in many languages.

You may also access health services by contacting:

The Refugee HealthLine is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-286-4770. This toll-free, multilingual service offers support for refugees and can help them find a health care provider, including:

  • Initial medical assessments (excluding Federal Immigration Medical Exam)
  • Medical care
  • Referrals to other health services
Welcome Centre Locations in York Region 

York Region has five accessible hubs known as Welcome Centres that help immigrants and newcomers settle into Canada.

For individual Welcome Centre program calendars and specific services, call 1-877-761-1155 or visit a location near you:

Markham North Welcome Centre
8400 Woodbine Avenue, Units 102-103
Markham, L3R 4N7
Phone: 289-846-3645

Markham South Welcome Centre
7220 Kennedy Road, Unit 8
Markham, L3R 7P2 
Phone: 905-479-7926

Newmarket Welcome Centre
16655 Yonge Street, Unit 26
Newmarket, L3X 1V6
Phone: 289-841-3032

Richmond Hill Welcome Centre
9325 Yonge Street, Unit 31A
Richmond Hill, L4C 0A8
Phone: 289-842-3124

Vaughan Welcome Centre
9100 Jane Street, Unit 56
Vaughan, L4K 0A4
Phone: 905-761-1155

To learn more, visit welcomecentre.ca

york.ca/Newcomer Services and the York Region Newcomer Guide

York Region’s Newcomer Services webpage provides information to help newcomers settle in York Region, such as the York Region Newcomer Guide, which is available in six languages:

The Newcomer Guide provides information about settlement programs, transportation, housing, health care, child care, employment, leisure and local government.

Other Services and Supports