Community Support

The Town of Halton Hills works closely with Halton Region and local agencies to support residents to access resources including; food security aid, mental health help, homelessness assistance, youth services, active living and community safety.

Residents in need are encouraged to contact Service Halton Hills and staff will direct their call to the appropriate agency on the Halton Community Services Directory.

Halton Community Services Directory

The Halton Community Services Directory contains information on over 4000 non-profit and government organizations serving Halton Region.

Halton Community Services Directory

Homelessness

Everyone has the right to safe, decent, permanent and affordable housing. Sadly, homelessness exists in every country, city and town, and is the result of many different factors. You may have personal experience in witnessing homeless individuals in Halton Hills and wondered how you can help.

Frequently asked questions

What is homelessness?
- According to the Canadian Observatory of Homelessness , homelessness is "the situation of an individual, family, or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means and ability of acquiring it." The homeless population is hard to count because of their mobility and the cyclical nature of homelessness. Halton Region, Social and Community Services Department keep data on the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Halton Hills, including those staying in emergency shelter, motels, and transitional housing.
How does someone become homeless?
- People become homeless for many reasons and causes can combine to the point that an individual is no longer able to sustain a home. People become unhoused when individual and family problems become insurmountable and seem hopeless. This can include catastrophic events such as loss of employment; family break-up or violence; mental and/or other debilitating illnesses; increasing housing costs or chronic substance abuse.
How you can help?
- There is help for homeless individuals in Halton Hills, supported by Halton Region. If you witness or there is someone you know who is homeless, here's what you can do:
  - Call 311: staff will triage clients to determine the best service provider to outreach and respond to the situation including providing access to the Housing Stability Fund, Emergency Shelter, Halton Housing Help or Bridging the Gap outreach
  - Call Halton Region Police non-emergency number at 905-878-5511 (1 District (Georgetown) Office): the report may be referred to the Community Engagement Team for response and appropriate referral
When someone doesn't want help?
- Often the stigma and shame attached to becoming homeless deters people who need it the most. Halton Region is aware of individuals who don't wish to access emergency shelter services, and can guide them to local supports around mental health outreach, housing related case management services as well as emergency food. Any community group concerned about a particular individual in their community is encouraged to call Halton Region to access supports and services for these vulnerable individuals. Individuals who have been identified as being homeless would be reviewed at monthly meetings of the Region's Homelessness Collaborative Table, or the Halton Situation Table where Halton Region Police are involved.
What's being done to combat homelessness?
- A Homelessness Action Table under the Community Safety and Well Being Plan was established in 2017 to develop a clear and coordinated process with government, agencies and service providers to proactively address homelessness. Recreation and Parks Department staff will continue to have a role working with Halton Region's Community Safety and Well being team to connect resources with local needs.

Important Homelessness links

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness leads a national movement of individuals, organizations and communities working together to end homelessness in Canada.

Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness

Mental health

Mental health is key to our well-being and to our capacity to enjoy life. Asking for help means that you want to make changes or take steps towards your mental health goals. In this section, you will find information and resources to help face the challenges to mental health in your daily life.

Mental Health Emergencies

If you are having a mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1, go to your local hospital or contact any one of the help lines below:

Kids Help Phone

Free, confidential online and phone counselling, and volunteer-led text-based support for youth across Canada. Youth can also find information on how to access community support services on their website or call.

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

Visit the Kids Help Phone website.

Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST)

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) provides Halton residents, aged 16 and over, experiencing a mental health crisis with immediate outreach and support. Anyone can call the COAST crisis line which is answered by a trained mental health crisis worker 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week.

COAST crisis line: 1-877-825-9011

COAST is funded by the Canadian Mental Health Association of Halton and by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Learn more about the COAST crisis line by visiting the Canadian Mental Health Association of Halton website.

Reach Out Centre for Kids (R.O.C.K)

ROCK's Crisis Response Program provides immediate outreach for children and youth, their parents/caregivers, and community members. The Crisis Response telephone number will connect you to our 24-hour answering service. You will then be connected with a crisis counsellor as soon as possible.

R.O.C.K. Crisis Response: 905-878-9785

For more information about R.O.C.K. services, including their virtual walk-in clinics and their live answer service, please visit the Visit the R.O.C.K. website.

Important mental health links

ADAPT

A non-profit, outpatient addiction agency in Halton. They offer services for persons with alcohol, drug, gambling, or behavioral addictions. All services are free and confidential. For more information call ADAPT intake line at 905-639-6537, ext. 0. Visit the ADAPT website to learn more.

BounceBack

A guided self-help program for adults and youth aged 15 and over, BounceBack uses workbooks with online videos and phone coaching to provide mental health supports and services. Visit the BounceBack website to learn more.

Canadian Mental Health Association Halton Region Branch (CMHA)

CMHA supports clients and the community by phone. Call 289-291-5396 and you will be contacted by a counsellor within 24 business hours, Monday to Friday. Visit the CMHA website to learn more.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

The CAMH website has compiled a list of helpful FAQs about how to take care of yourself and others during COVID-19. Visit the CAMH website to learn more.

Distress Centre Halton

Phone and online support for people in our community to better cope with crisis, loneliness and emotional stress.

Halton Hills: 905-877-1211. Visit the Distress Centre Halton website to learn more.

Ukrainian Newcomers

Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced and the Government of Canada is committed to providing Ukrainians and their families with a safe haven while the war continues in their home country.

Halton Region and community organizations are prepared to welcome Ukrainian newcomers and all newcomers to the region by offering a variety of resources and supports from public health and temporary housing supports, to childcare and employment assistance.

Supports offered by Halton Region

The Town of Halton Hills will extend to those with Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) documentation:

Transportation services for eligible clients using the ActiVan Program including the Taxi Scrip service
Recreation opportunities through the established recreation subsidy program

Social Isolation Support

Connection in Action Logo Connection in Action supports adults aged 55 and older who live in Halton by increasing awareness of opportunities for social connections. Connection in Action also supports communities across Halton to better serve older adults through capacity-building education. Connection in Action is an initiative of Halton Region’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan and is advised by the Older Adult Isolation Action Table.

To learn more, visit the Connection in Action website.

Volunteering with the Town

Want to make a difference in your community and the lives of fellow neighbours and friends? Consider volunteering with the Town of Halton Hills. Visit our volunteer webpage to learn more about available opportunities and the application process.

Volunteer Information

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