Emergency and Transitional Housing

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or fleeing an abusive situation, an emergency housing facility can provide temporary housing and wraparound supports.

People experiencing homelessness in York Region that are seeking shelter are asked to contact the York Region Emergency Housing Central Intake Line at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140. This phone line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information please call:

1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140
TTY: 1-866-512-6228 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)

Street Outreach Van

You can also contact the Street Outreach Van at 1-866-553-4053 seven days a week from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Street Outreach Van (operated by Loft/Crosslinks) provides mobile services and supports for people experiencing homelessness at no cost.

Eligibility

To be eligible to stay, you must meet the requirements of the particular facility which will be shared with you when you contact the Emergency Housing Central Intake Line phone number included on this page.

Cold Weather Response Plan

York Region’s Cold Weather Response Plan provides safe and welcoming services for people experiencing homelessness in York Region during the cold weather season. The plan expands services that safeguard people experiencing homelessness from cold weather, alerts people experiencing homelessness and other members of the public that cold weather conditions are expected or currently exist, and supports people experiencing homelessness to take appropriate precautions.

Heat Relief Strategy 

York Region’s Heat Relief Strategy for People Experiencing Homelessness provides information on how to access supports and services during the hot weather season, including drop-in programs, community meal programs and the distribution of cooling supplies to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat for people experiencing homelessness. The 2024 Heat Relief Strategy is in effect from July 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024.

Adult Emergency Housing Facilities

Men

Porter Place Men's Shelter

Services provided by Blue Door
Phone: 905-898-1015
Toll Free: 1-888-554-5525
bluedoor.ca

Passage House (Transitional)

Services provided by Blue Door
Phone: 905-898-1015
Toll Free: 1-888-554-5525

Women

Belinda's Place (Emergency and Transitional)

Services provided by The Salvation Army
Phone: 289-366-HOPE (4673)
belindasplaces.org

Co-ed

Inn from the Cold Shelter (Emergency)

Services provided by Inn from the Cold
Phone: 905-895-8889 
innfromthecold.ca

Drop-in Programs 

Richmond Hill Drop-in Program

In partnership with Krasman Centre and the City of Richmond Hill
Phone: 905-780-0491
Address: 10121 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill 
Dates: May 1 to December 31, 2024, the program will run seven days a week
Hours:
Monday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Wednesday: 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Holidays: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Newmarket Drop-in Program  

In partnership with Inn From the Cold, Krasman Centre and Town of Newmarket
Phone: 647-512-8754 
Address: 623 Timothy Street, in Newmarket
Hours: Seven days a week, including holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m

Women and Children Fleeing Abuse

Sandgate Women's Shelter

Phone: 905-722-4043
Toll Free: 1-800-661-8294 (crisis line)
sandgate.ca

Yellow Brick House Women's Shelter

Phone: 905-727-1944
Toll Free: 1-800-263-3247 (crisis line)
yellowbrickhouse.org

Families

Leeder Place Emergency Family Shelter

Services provide by Blue Door
Phone: 905-898-1015
Toll Free: 1-888-554-5525
bluedoor.ca

Youth

360°kids at Richmond Hill Hub (Male and Female - Emergency and Transitional)

Connections – Emergency Housing
STAY (Supportive Transitional Apartments for Youth) – Transitional Housing
Phone: 905-475-6694
360kids.ca

Sutton Youth Services (Co-ed - Emergency and Transitional)

Services provided by The Salvation Army
Phone: 905-722-9076
Toll Free: 1-877-972-0898

The Bridge (Transitional)

Services provided by The Salvation Army
Phone: 905-722-9076
Toll Free: 1-877-972-0898
suttonyouthservices.ca

Seasonal Shelter Program

Blue Door Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold

Services provided by Blue Door

Services are available for adults including meals, clothing, transportation services, and referrals for housing, employment and income supports.

Phone: 905-955-9964
Location: Markham, Richmond Hill or Vaughan on a rotating basis
Hours: 4 p.m. until 7 a.m., seven nights a week, October to June

Phone: 647-580-7938
Location: 18408 Yonge Street, East Gwillimbury 
Hours: 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., nightly, December 18 to April 30

Website: bluedoor.ca/mosaic-interfaith/

New Emergency and Transitional Housing

York Region is working to expand emergency and transitional housing capacity and redevelop existing sites to reflect need. 

New emergency and transitional housing in Aurora

York Region is collaborating with the Town of Aurora on possible sites to consider for emergency and transitional housing locations. Additionally, sites across the Region, including Region-owned properties, are being examined as potential sites for future emergency and transitional housing.

In 2018, York Region began the planning process for new emergency and transitional housing. Regional planners carefully considered many factors before choosing 14452 Yonge Street as a preferred location in 2021 with community feedback incorporated.  Beginning in 2021, York Region engaged in extensive community consultations through public meetings, a community liaison committee and ongoing communication to neighbours through mail-outs, door-to-door visits and e-newsletters. A Zoning Bylaw Amendment and Site Plan Application required approval from Town of Aurora Council for construction to begin on the proposed development.

Public meetings and input are an important part of the development application process. The first public planning meeting took place with Town of Aurora Council on January 24, 2023 and a decision was made to defer the application to a second planning meeting. On February 13, 2024, a decision was made by Town of Aurora Council to not move forward with the planning application for emergency and transitional housing at 14452 Yonge Street.

Community Liaison Committee

We are grateful to the Community Liaison Committee (CLC) members for their support and active participation in the planning of this development. Their time and contributions helped ensure the community was aware of this important work and their voices were heard throughout. We will reengage with the CLC once plans for next steps are determined, however, we are not currently recruiting new members for the CLC.

Presentations and Resources

Community Liaison Committee Presentations 

If you would like more information about this housing development, please email [email protected]  

For general inquiries, please contact Access York:

Phone: 1-877-464-9675 
TTY: 1-866-512-6228 
Email: @email

External Resources