Our Mission

Homes First develops and provides affordable, stable housing and support services to break the cycle of homelessness for people with the fewest housing options.

About Homes First

Homes First Society (Homes First) is Toronto's largest provider of homelessness and housing services.

For over 41 years, Homes First has been a lifeline for people experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Today, we operate over 25% of the city’s emergency shelter sites and provide supportive housing across 17 sites—all grounded in one priority: ensuring everyone who calls Toronto home, has one. 

During this time, Homes First has maintained a 'housing first' model with a client-centred approach; we focus on providing comprehensive wrap-around services to our residents in both shelter and housing, guided by their own goals. Supporting those who are considered 'hardest-to-house' has long been a pillar of the Homes First mission. We understand 'complex needs' to be any individual who has multiple, interconnected and layered challenges, which compound, making it difficult to maintain housing.

Every night, more than 2,500 people find safety and support in one of our 26 locations. In 2025 alone, we helped 766 individuals move into permanent housing—real, lasting change made possible by a community that cares.

But the need continues to grow. Your support helps provide not just a place to stay, but a path forward. Together, we can build a Toronto where everyone has a place to call home.

What does it mean to be ‘HOMEFULL’? 

Not having a place to call home robs thousands in our city of the dignity and quality of life that we all deserve and desire for ourselves and those we love. Homelessness in Toronto is on the rise.  

We believe Toronto should be Homefull. A city FULL of homes. A city FULL of hope.A city where everyone experiences the warmth, comfort, stability, and security that a home provides.

We believe a Homefull Toronto is a place where everyone experiences health and wholeness and has access to the opportunities, support, and resources they need to thrive.  

We aim for homeFULLness in all that we do because we believe that everyone needs a home and a roof over someone’s head is just the beginning... 

“Home is wherever you leave everything you love and never question that it will be there when you return.” — Leo Christopher 

To learn more visit: http://www.homesfirst.on.ca/