Homes First
Homes First Society is a Toronto-based Canadian charity operating 26 emergency shelters and supportive housing sites that serve over 2,500 individuals nightly using the Housing First approach with embedded health, harm reduction, and refugee services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Homes First does
Homes First Society is a Canadian registered charity (Charitable Registration No. 865843932RR0001) founded in 1984 and headquartered at 90 Shuter Street in Toronto, Ontario. The organization operates a Housing First model of care combining emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and evidence-based wrap-around services for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Its clinical approach is anchored by Critical Time Intervention (CTI), with documented outcomes showing 152 of 153 supported clients in 2023 successfully breaking the cycle of homelessness.\n\nHomes First operates a 26-property real estate portfolio across Toronto, comprising 9 emergency shelter sites and 17 supportive housing sites that together serve more than 2,500 individuals nightly. The organization controls approximately 25% of Toronto's active shelter bed inventory. Specialized facilities include the Pacewood Shelter (2SLGBTQIA+), the Metro Refugee Shelter (337 beds for refugee claimants), Kennedy Road Shelter (women), Willowdale Welcome Centre (410 beds across two buildings), and Dundalk House (the organization's inaugural modular housing site). Operational services extend beyond housing to include a Centralized Food Program producing 500+ meals weekly, onsite health services through partnerships with Inner City Health Associates, TrustCare Pharmacy, CAMH, and Toronto Public Health (including an Urgent Public Health Needs Site), and recent additions such as the Fitzrovia Employment Readiness Program and Haven Brews Barista Training.\n\nThe revenue model is a multi-source non-profit funding structure rather than a commercial pricing model. Five identified revenue streams include individual donations, corporate giving and event sponsorship (anchored by the annual Homes for Dinner gala), planned giving and bequests, securities donations, and government funding from the City of Toronto and other public sources. Service delivery is free of charge to clients; tax receipts are issued for eligible donations. Charitable registrations, board governance (chaired by Jordan Wong, with Patricia Mueller as CEO), and integrated referral partnerships characterize the operating structure.
Homes First firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Homes First
- Legal name
- Homes First Society
- Website
- https://homesfirst.on.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Homes First Society is a Toronto-based Canadian charity operating 26 emergency shelters and supportive housing sites that serve over 2,500 individuals nightly using the Housing First approach with embedded health, harm reduction, and refugee services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Homes First industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homeless Shelter and Supportive Housing Services
- NAICS
- Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Affordable / Low-Income Assisted Living (Medicaid Waiver Focused) (HLADABAE), Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH)
Keywords
Where Homes First is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices13 records
Markets served
Homes First business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: One-time and recurring financial donations from individual donors supporting the organization's mission to end chronic homelessness in Toronto.
- Corporate Giving and Sponsorship: Corporate partnerships, sponsorships for events like Homes for Dinner gala, and employee matching gift programs.
- Bequests and Planned Giving: Bequests and legacy gifts ensuring long-term commitment to addressing housing insecurity in Toronto.
- Securities and Stocks Donations: Donations of securities or stocks providing long-term essential funding.
- Government Funding: Funding from City of Toronto and other government sources for shelter operations and supportive housing programs.
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Homes First product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Homes First Society operates emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, and modular housing units for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Toronto. It provides wrap-around support services including case management, harm reduction, mental health and addiction supports, a Centralized Food Program, Housing First follow-up with Critical Time Intervention, eviction prevention, and community programming, all delivered free of charge to clients.
Product overview
Homes First is a charitable organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of homeless shelter and supportive housing services in Toronto. The organization operates 26 properties with over 2,500 individuals served each night. Core offerings include Emergency Shelter Services across 8 shelter locations and Supportive Housing Programs across 17 housing sites. These are supported by health services (Health Services, Here to Help program), housing stabilization programs (Housing First Programs, Follow-Up Worker Program), food programs (Centralized Food Program), community engagement (Internal Community Engagement), and volunteer initiatives (Homes First Care Kit Program). The annual Homes For Dinner gala serves as the signature fundraising event. The organization focuses on individuals with complex needs including mental illness, substance use challenges, and chronic homelessness, operating from a Housing First ethos.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Emergency Shelter Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 530 clients exited shelter system in 2023 through Housing First implementation
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Homes First
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Homes First technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Homes First partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- The 519flagshipPartnership to operate Toronto's first shelter dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ folks (Pacewood Shelter), focusing on newcomers and refugees. The 519 coordinates all referrals to the shelter.
- Inner City Health Associates (ICHA)flagshipPartnership to provide onsite medical professionals including Nurses, Psychiatrists and Physicians on a regular basis to shelter and housing residents.
- TrustCare PharmacycoreProvides onsite pharmacy services to ensure residents have consistent access to their medications.
- Toronto Public HealthcoreOperates Urgent Public Health Needs Site (UPHNS) at 545 Lake Shore Blvd West site to provide safe space for residents to consume substances, reducing overdose deaths and community substance use.
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)corePartnership through Scarborough Addictions Services Partnership (SASP) program providing harm reduction and addiction service education to residents at shelter sites.
- City of TorontoflagshipPrimary government funder and partner. Coordinates referrals through PATHS program for tenant matches to supportive housing. Funds Here to Help (H2H) multi-service program.
- Here to Help (H2H) Partner AgenciescoreMulti-agency partnership including Dixon Hall, Gerstein Crisis Centre, Inner City Family Health Team (ICFHT), and Seeds of Hope providing immediate de-escalation, crisis intervention, and short-term follow-up supports.
- Kits For a CausecorePartnership to facilitate Homes First Care Kit Program enabling corporate and group volunteers to host kit-packing events with essential supplies for residents.
- Toronto Humane SocietyminorProvided Wellness Vet Clinic at 224 Spadina site bringing veterinary care directly to tenants and their pets.
- SafeHouseminorPartner in organizing veterinary clinic at 224 Spadina site supporting pet owners experiencing homelessness.
- Haven BrewscoreDelivers Barista Training Program in two phases providing hands-on café skills training with letter of recognition upon completion, creating pathways to employment for residents.
- Toronto Council FirecoreLed Big Drum sessions at 224 Spadina providing Indigenous teachings, cultural programming, and healing opportunities for tenants.
- The Stop Community Food CentreminorHosted Black Food Sovereignty Workshop at Green Barn Programs teaching about food sovereignty and urban gardening.
- One Church TOminorHosted Black History Month celebration bringing together clients, staff and partners to celebrate Black history, culture, and creativity.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Homes First competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Toronto Community Housing Corporation: Canada's largest social housing provider, operating ~58,000 units across Toronto. Comparable in subsidized housing mission but operates at much greater scale and scope.
Direct peers
- Dixon Hall: Toronto non-profit delivering emergency shelter (Hemingway/esprit place family shelter), supportive housing, and Here to Help (H2H) crisis response in partnership with Homes First. Directly comparable service portfolio and geography.
- Fred Victor: Toronto-based non-profit providing shelter, supportive housing, and wraparound services to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Directly comparable in mission, geography, and service mix.
- Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre: Operates shelter, transitional housing, and supportive housing programs in Toronto, including Booth Centre men's shelter. Comparable in target population and Housing First-aligned services.
- Yonge Street Mission: Toronto faith-based non-profit operating shelter, housing, and community programs for people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Comparable in target population and integrated services.
- St. Michael's Homes: Toronto non-profit offering residential addiction and mental health treatment, supportive housing, and homelessness services. Comparable in wraparound clinical and housing model.
- Mainstay Housing (formerly Horizon Housing): Toronto non-profit provider of supportive housing for individuals with mental health and addiction challenges. Comparable in operating model and target population.
Regional players
- Canadian Mental Health Association - Toronto Branch: National non-profit with strong Toronto presence providing mental health and supportive housing services. Comparable in mental-health and harm-reduction focus areas but broader geographic remit.
Emerging players
- Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth: Toronto non-profit providing shelter, supportive housing, and skills training for homeless youth. Comparable in Housing First-aligned model but narrower age-based population.
- Covenant House Toronto: Toronto non-profit focused on youth homelessness, shelter, and supportive housing. Comparable in service model and funding approach but narrower in client population (youth only).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Homes First social profiles
Digital presenceHomes First financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Homes First leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles30 records
Homes First funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Homes First M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Homes First
What does Homes First do?
Homes First Society operates emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, and modular housing units for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Toronto. It provides wrap-around support services including case management, harm reduction, mental health and addiction supports, a Centralized Food Program, Housing First follow-up with Critical Time Intervention, eviction prevention, and community programming, all delivered free of charge to clients.
Is Homes First a public or private company?
Homes First is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Homes First founded?
Homes First was founded in 1984. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Homes First based?
Homes First is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Homes First make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Giving and Sponsorship, bequests and Planned Giving, securities and Stocks Donations and government Funding.
Who are Homes First's main competitors?
Toronto Community Housing Corporation is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Dixon Hall, Fred Victor, Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre, Yonge Street Mission, St. Michael's Homes and Mainstay Housing (formerly Horizon Housing). Canadian Mental Health Association - Toronto Branch is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth and Covenant House Toronto.
Does Homes First have an API?
No public API is recorded for Homes First.
What industry is Homes First in?
Homes First's product category is Homeless Shelter and Supportive Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services, with a secondary code of BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.