Community Living Hamilton

What Community Living Hamilton does

Community Living Hamilton is a not-for-profit registered charity founded in 1953 that operates as the largest provider of intellectual and developmental disability services in Hamilton, Ontario, serving more than 1,400-1,500 individuals with conditions including Down syndrome and Autism through a comprehensive suite of residential, day, respite, employment, and inclusion programs. Its service portfolio spans five Supported Group Living homes, Supported Independent Living, seven community-based Community Participation sites, Adult and Child & Youth Respite (including the Charlton site), Child Care Supports serving more than 200 licensed childcare centres, the Employment Access Program, and the Transitional Employment Program. Operational scope is strictly regional, anchored at 191 York Blvd., Hamilton, with approximately 220 staff plus a dedicated volunteer base and a volunteer Board of Directors.

The organization generates revenue through four streams: (1) Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services transfer payments funding core adult developmental services, (2) Passport and Special Services at Home (SSAH) fund administration yielding a 10% take rate on total funds spent, (3) fee-for-service programming including Dragonfly Summer Adventures ($950/week themed day camps) and In The Know & On The Go ($100-$170 single-day outings; 8-week sessions at $520-$680), and (4) charitable donations including one-time and recurring gifts and social-enterprise revenue from the Drop 'n' Shop thrift store. Service delivery depends on referrals routed through Developmental Services Ontario Hamilton-Niagara Region and Contact Hamilton, supplemented by a direct-to-consumer pay channel for programs accessible via Passport/SSAH funding.

Underlying technology is conventional rather than proprietary: a WordPress-based website, standard social channels, and routine business IT. No technology platforms, AI/ML capabilities, patents, or proprietary technical systems were disclosed. Operational differentiators instead rest on 70+ years of community relationships, registered-charity regulatory standing, embedded provincial network membership (Community Living Ontario, OASIS), and recognized brand credibility demonstrated by the 2025 Diamond Readers' Choice Award and the 2026 CPRS Gold Pinnacle Award.

Name

Community Living Hamilton

Legal name

Community Living Hamilton

Website

https://communitylivinghamilton.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Community Living Hamilton is a not-for-profit registered charity founded in 1953 that supports more than 1,400 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Hamilton, Ontario through residential, day, respite, employment, and inclusion services funded by provincial government grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability Facilities (623210), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialized Assisted Living for Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities (Adult) (HLADABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Benefits Counseling & Financial Literacy for Transition-Age Youth (EDAKANAJ), Live-In Special Needs & Inclusive Childcare (HSAAAEAJ)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Residential support services
• Community participation programs
• Employment support services
• Respite care services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funded primarily through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Services include Passport and Special Services at Home (SSAH) fund management.
2. Donations: Accepts one-time and recurring monthly donations from individuals and organizations to support programs and services.
3. Fee-for-Service Programs: Programs such as In The Know & On The Go, Dragonfly Summer Adventures, and respite services available for direct purchase by individuals or families, including those with Passport/SSAH funding.
4. Passport Fund Management Fee: Community Living Hamilton administers Passport funding for individuals, charging a 10% fee on total cost of funds spent.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Community Living Hamilton is a not-for-profit, registered charity that provides person-centred supports to more than 1,500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Hamilton, Ontario region. Its core offerings span residential supports (Supported Group Living and Supported Independent Living), Community Participation day programs, Adult and Child & Youth Respite, Employment Access and Transitional Employment services, fee-for-service community programming (In The Know & On The Go and Dragonfly Summer Adventures), Passport and SSAH fund administration, and Child Care Supports (Special Needs Resourcing) for licensed childcare centres.

Product overview

Community Living Hamilton operates as a not-for-profit disability services organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The portfolio includes core residential services (Supported Group Living and Supported Independent Living), day programs (Community Participation), respite care (Adult and Child & Youth Respite), employment services (Employment Access and Transitional Employment Programs), and fee-for-service programming (In The Know & On The Go and Dragonfly Summer Adventures). Fund management services (Passport & SSAH) and children's inclusion services round out the offering. The organization functions as a single integrated service model rather than a modular platform, with most services accessed through referral from Developmental Services Ontario or paid via government funding.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Drop 'n' Shop: Thrift store operated by Community Living Hamilton.
• Dragonfly Adventures
• In The Know & On The Go

Products and services

• Community Participation
• Supported Group Living
• Supported Independent Living
• Adult Respite
• In The Know & On The Go
• Dragonfly Summer Adventures
• Passport & SSAH Fund Management
• Child Care Supports / Children's Inclusion Services
• Child & Youth Respite
• Employment Access Program
• Transitional Employment Program

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of HamiltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner providing support and collaboration in the Hamilton region.
• Contact HamiltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization; referral pathway for children's services including Child Care Supports and Child & Youth Respite.
• Community Living OntariocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial membership organization; part of province-wide network advancing inclusion and upholding rights of people with developmental disabilities.
• Developmental Services Ontario Hamilton – Niagara RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary referral partner for adult developmental services including Supported Group Living, Supported Independent Living, and Community Participation.
• Ministry of Children Community and Social ServicescoreOthersProvincial government ministry providing funding and regulatory oversight for developmental services.
• Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial member organization working with government ministries and elected officials to strengthen legislation, improve funding models, and ensure sustainable supports.
• Special Olympics – Hamilton, OntariominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing recreational and athletic opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
• OASIS (Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks closely with government ministries and elected officials to strengthen legislation, improve funding models, and ensure sustainable supports for individuals and families.
• Drop 'n' Shop Thrift StoreminorOthersThrift store operated by or affiliated with Community Living Hamilton, providing shopping opportunities and supporting the community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Vita Community Living Services: Mississauga-based provider of residential, day, and employment supports for adults with developmental disabilities. Comparable service mix and Ontario DSO referral pathway.
• Bethesda Support Services: Niagara-area organization providing residential, respite, and community participation supports for people with developmental disabilities. Adjacent geographic peer with the same DSO Hamilton-Niagara referral catchment.
• KW Habilitation Services: Waterloo Region provider offering residential, community participation, and employment services to people with developmental disabilities. Comparable operating model under Ontario DS framework.

Direct peers

• Participation House Support Services: Ontario-wide organization operating residential, respite, and community programs for people with intellectual and physical disabilities under a comparable funding and accreditation model.
• Ongwanada: Kingston-based provider of residential, clinical, and community services for people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable person-centred philosophy and Ontario government funding profile.
• Montage Support Services: Toronto-area agency providing residential and community-based supports for individuals with developmental disabilities and complex needs. Board director Tina Chandla is a Community Services Manager there, evidencing close sector overlap.
• Community Living Toronto: Federation counterpart serving Toronto with the same mission of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, community participation, and employment services. Highly comparable operating model and funder relationship.
• Community Living Dufferin: Dufferin County provider of residential and community supports for people with developmental disabilities, part of the same Community Living Ontario federation. Comparable service breadth and funding model.

Broad incumbents

• Community Living Ontario: Provincial federation that Community Living Hamilton belongs to. Comparable mission and member-driven advocacy for IDD rights across Ontario, with broader policy and network scope.

Emerging players

• Niagara Peninsula Children's Centre: Children's rehabilitation centre offering respite, inclusion, and developmental services to children with disabilities across Niagara. Comparable children's inclusion and respite services to CLH's Charlton site.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CLHamilton_
• Facebookfacebook.com/communitylivinghamilton
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/16240567
• Instagraminstagram.com/communitylivinghamilton

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Living Hamilton