Housing First Program
Through the Housing First Program, Family Services Windsor-Essex (FSWE) helps people with the greatest level of need find affordable rental housing. FSWE works with people who have been chronically homeless and have a significant mental health and/or addiction concern.
Housing First Workers also provide these clients with weekly advocacy and support for up to three years. We connect people with other programs such as mental health and addiction services. Our goal is to help maintain the tenancy and reduce issues of safety and security for people who are chronically homeless.
Eligibility Criteria: People who have been chronically homeless and have a significant mental health and/or addiction concern.
For more information about our Housing First Program contact us at 1-888-933-1831.
Youth Supportive Housing
At FSWE, we know that housing ends homelessness – which is why we’ve built housing to help more of the people we support find permanent and safe places to live.
The Youth Supporting Housing development, which opened in the fall of 2022, features fully furnished “modular” housing units made out of shipping containers. It has 6 units for 10 at-risk youth.
As part of our housing model, social workers will work with these youth for up to 3 years to provide weekly, strengths-based support and advocacy to help them meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. To donate and help us expand our capacity to reduce youth homelessness, click here.
Outreach Services
The FSWE Outreach team provides services to people experiencing homelessness to address their immediate needs including but not limited to engagement, case management, harm reduction supports and mental health services. These services will be provided on the streets, parks, abandoned buildings, bus stations and settings where people experiencing homelessness are staying.
“Outreach is the initial and most critical step in connecting, or reconnecting a homeless individual to needed health, mental health, recovery, social welfare, and housing services. Outreach is primarily directed toward finding homeless people who might not use services due to lack of awareness or active avoidance…and who would otherwise be ignored or underserved” – Gary Morse, 1987
Referrals can be made by calling 311 or by e-mail at [email protected]
Windsor-Essex Housing Connections (WEHC)
FSWE is a member of Windsor-Essex Housing Connections (WEHC), a partnership of agencies who work together to help people find affordable, rental housing and end the cycle of homelessness.
Additional partners in WEHC also include Housing Information Services (HIS) and Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre:
Finding Affordable Rental Housing
If you would like to apply for social housing contact, please contact:
central housing registry – windsor essex county
Call 519-254-6994 for help across Windsor and Essex County. Located at 2470 Dougall Avenue, Unit 6, Windsor, ON N8X 1T2.
How Support Services Work
Our Professional Support Staff will
- Talk privately with people about concerns
- Decide what issues to work on together
- Provide advice, advocacy and professional support to manage concerns
- Connect people with other community agencies, as needed
- Help deal with any new issues that may arise
- Help people cope with changes in life
Our Professional Support Staff
- Can support people as they work on a wide range of concerns
- Focus on growth, development and independence
- Facilitate overall well-being and resilience
- Have a broad range of clinical expertise and real-life experience
How much will it cost?
Most of our Support Services are free, unless otherwise indicated by the specific program. Donations for Support Services are very welcomed. Donations help us continue our important, local work. Make a donation to our Support Services today.