Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
Second Story Community Homes and Services (formerly Bethlehem Housing and Support Services) is a St. Catharines, Ontario-based registered charity that provides affordable supportive housing, community support services, and EarlyON early childhood programs to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the Niagara region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersOntario, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Bethlehem Housing and Support Services does
Second Story Community Homes and Services (formerly Bethlehem Housing and Support Services) is a registered Canadian charitable nonprofit founded in 1988 in St. Catharines, Ontario, that provides affordable supportive housing, community support services, and early childhood and family programs to individuals and families in the Niagara region experiencing housing instability, homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, and family breakdown. The organization operates four housing locations — Bethlehem Place (transitional), Kenmore Court, Genesis Court, and North Church Court (permanent supportive housing, opened June 2020) — and currently supports 280 households across three sites with a reported 98% housing retention rate. In addition to housing, it runs an EarlyON Child and Family Centre offering early learning and parenting programs, community support services including Housing First outreach, and a Housing Affordability Assistance Program (HAAP) linked to the 2024 Rotary Club of St. Catharines-endowed Rent Stabilization Fund.
The organization has no proprietary technology product. Its service delivery model is direct-to-client through housing sites and in-person programming, with online intake via its website (bethlehemhousing.ca). Revenue is generated entirely through donations, fundraising events (Empty Bowls in its 21st year, Country Harvest Soup Fest, Housing Heroes Rock! Fest, Bricks of Hope), foundation and corporate grants (Ontario Trillium Foundation, Billes Family/Canadian Tire, Niagara Community Foundation, Enercare, Meridian Credit Union), municipal and federal funding (City of St. Catharines, Niagara Region, CMHC), and a recently established $500,000 endowment. The customer base is exclusively individual and family end-users; there are no enterprise or B2B customers. The organization is currently mid-transformation following its March 2026 rebrand and the launch of the Transformational Plan 2025, and is expanding inventory through a public-private partnership with the City of Welland for 83 additional affordable and attainable rental units.
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
- Legal name
- Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
- Website
- https://bethlehemhousing.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Second Story Community Homes and Services (formerly Bethlehem Housing and Support Services) is a St. Catharines, Ontario-based registered charity that provides affordable supportive housing, community support services, and EarlyON early childhood programs to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability in the Niagara region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Affordable Housing and Social Services
- NAICS
- Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (62411)
- 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), Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)
Keywords
Where Bethlehem Housing and Support Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ontario
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through various fundraising events and individual donations. Major events include Empty Bowls (annual soup fundraiser), Country Harvest Soup Fest, Housing Heroes Rock! Fest, and the Bricks of Hope campaign. Donations are tax-deductible (Charitable Registration No. 12192 6547 RR0001).
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services provides affordable supportive housing (both transitional and permanent) for individuals, men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, and mental health challenges in the Niagara region. The organization operates multiple housing locations (Bethlehem Place, Kenmore Court, Genesis Court, North Church Court), delivers early learning and parenting programs through its EarlyON Child and Family Centre, and provides community-based support services including a Housing Affordability Assistance Program.
Product overview
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services (now known as Second Story Community Homes and Services) is a multi-service non-profit organization offering a portfolio of housing and support services in Niagara. The organization operates through several distinct service lines: (1) Affordable supportive housing at multiple locations including Bethlehem Place (transitional), Kenmore Court, Genesis Court, and North Church Court (permanent supportive housing); (2) an EarlyON Child and Family Centre providing early learning and parenting programs; (3) community support services for residents and community members; and (4) fundraising events and campaigns including Empty Bowls, Country Harvest Soup Fest, Housing Hero Campaign, and Bricks of Hope. With 280 households supported across three sites and a 98% housing retention rate, the organization provides both housing placement and ongoing support to help families achieve stability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Housing Hero: A community campaign initiative to rally support for affordable housing solutions in Niagara, engaging volunteers who contribute their time, talent, or treasure to the housing cause.
Products and services
- Affordable Supportive Housing Transitional and permanent affordable housing for men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, and mental health challenges, with integrated support services to help residents achieve stability and independence.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% housing retention rate demonstrates successful tenant stability outcomes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- FirstOntario Credit UnioncoreDevelopment partner in affordable housing projects including the Church Street project. FirstOntario Credit Union provided partnership in the 80-unit affordable housing development downtown (2016-2017) and the 128-unit development at 111 Church Street (2017).
- Penn Terra Group LimitedcoreDevelopment partner in affordable housing projects. Collaborated with Bethlehem and FirstOntario Credit Union to build 80 affordable housing units downtown and 128 units at 111 Church Street.
- City of WellandmajorPrivate/public partnership for development of 83 affordable and attainable rental units on two City-owned sites. Designed so tenants can progress along continuum of unit types and support levels as their independence grows.
- EnercaremajorFresh Start Program partnership since 2017. Provides personalized comfort packages with household items, linens, kitchen accessories, and children's items to families transitioning from temporary to permanent housing. Provided 45 Fresh Start Kits to date.
- Niagara CollegemajorLong-time partner in Empty Bowls event through School of Culinary Arts. Students volunteer, compete, judge, and cater events. Broadcasting students created promotional video for Naturalized Playground. Ongoing partnership for 4+ years.
- Brock UniversityminorStaff and Faculty volunteers (40+ people) during National Volunteer Week for Naturalized Playground prep. Student interns from Media and Communication Studies program.
- LiUNA Local 837minorConstruction Craft Worker Apprenticeship program providing OYAP students who volunteered 162 hours valued at over $5,200 for Naturalized Playground preparation.
- Giant FM and Country 89minorLocal radio stations serving as Housing Hero Champions, donating spin wheel proceeds raised to Housing Hero Initiative and promoting affordable housing awareness.
- Brand BlvdminorGraphic design firm that donated design talent to create Housing Hero logo. Sponsoring the Bricks of Hope Campaign.
- Garden City Food Co-opminorCreated 'Sponsor a Member' campaign providing 12 sponsored memberships for residents of Genesis Court.
- Niagara Area Jeep ClubminorHousing Hero Champions organizing events throughout the year to raise awareness and funds for affordable housing. Raised $4,000 at 2019 Jeep Fest.
- Good ShepherdminorJohn Lee, Director of HOMES Programs for Good Shepherd in Hamilton, serves as Board President for Bethlehem Housing, connecting housing networks across the region.
- Niagara Regional HousingcorePartner in National Housing Day events and housing system coordination. Part of 22 funded homeless services providers and 62 non-profit housing providers in Niagara's 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Niagara Branch: CMHA Niagara delivers mental health and housing support services, including supported housing programs, in the same region. Overlaps on supportive housing for vulnerable populations and is part of the 22 funded homeless service providers in Niagara's 10-Year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan.
- March of Dimes Canada: March of Dimes Canada provides supportive housing, attendant services and community programs for people with disabilities and seniors across Ontario. Comparable in operating supportive housing and wraparound services but at much larger scale and with a different primary population focus.
- Niagara Regional Housing: Niagara Regional Housing is the largest provider of community housing in the region, delivering subsidized rentals and housing programs across Niagara under the provincial housing system. Broader portfolio than Second Story and operates as a designated local housing corporation with municipal mandate.
- Salvation Army Niagara Ministries: The Salvation Army operates emergency shelter, transitional housing and family support services across Niagara. Comparable faith-rooted nonprofit model serving overlapping populations (homelessness, poverty, family breakdown) with broader national footprint and resources.
Direct peers
- Indwell: Indwell is a Christian nonprofit developing and operating supportive and affordable rental housing across Ontario, including Hamilton and Southwestern Ontario. Comparable faith-rooted supportive housing model with similar P3 development approach and target population of those experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges.
- YWCA Niagara Region: YWCA Niagara provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and support services for women and families experiencing violence and housing instability in the same Niagara region. Directly comparable mission, geography and target population, though narrower in scope (women-focused).
- Good Shepherd Ministries (Hamilton): Good Shepherd operates supportive and transitional housing programs for vulnerable populations in Hamilton, Ontario, with a comparable housing-plus-support model. Direct relevance: Bethlehem Housing's Board President (John Lee) is Good Shepherd's Director of HOMES Programs, evidencing active organizational linkage and shared operating approach.
- Habitat for Humanity Niagara: Habitat for Humanity Niagara builds affordable homeownership and rental housing in the Niagara region, sharing the same geography and affordable-housing mission. Comparable in fundraising model and development partnerships, though focused on ownership pathway rather than supportive rental.
Regional players
- Blue Door Shelters (York Region): Blue Door Shelters operates emergency housing and supportive programs for homeless individuals and families in York Region, Ontario. Comparable operating model (transitional housing, family support, fundraising events) but serves a different geography (York Region vs. Niagara).
Others
- Community Housing Transformation Centre: The Community Housing Transformation Centre is a national capacity-building organization serving the community housing sector in Canada. Adjacent ecosystem player — not a direct competitor — but represents a potential funder/partner relationship for Second Story's Transformational Plan and scaling efforts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services social profiles
Digital presenceBethlehem Housing and Support Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services 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 Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
What does Bethlehem Housing and Support Services do?
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services provides affordable supportive housing (both transitional and permanent) for individuals, men, women, and families experiencing homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, and mental health challenges in the Niagara region. The organization operates multiple housing locations (Bethlehem Place, Kenmore Court, Genesis Court, North Church Court), delivers early learning and parenting programs through its EarlyON Child and Family Centre, and provides community-based support services including a Housing Affordability Assistance Program.
Is Bethlehem Housing and Support Services a public or private company?
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Bethlehem Housing and Support Services founded?
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bethlehem Housing and Support Services based?
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services is headquartered in Ontario, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bethlehem Housing and Support Services make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Who are Bethlehem Housing and Support Services's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Niagara Branch, March of Dimes Canada, Niagara Regional Housing and Salvation Army Niagara Ministries. Direct peers are Indwell, YWCA Niagara Region, Good Shepherd Ministries (Hamilton) and Habitat for Humanity Niagara. Blue Door Shelters (York Region) is listed as a regional player. Community Housing Transformation Centre is listed as an others.
Does Bethlehem Housing and Support Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bethlehem Housing and Support Services.
What industry is Bethlehem Housing and Support Services in?
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services's product category is Affordable Housing and Social 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 624221 and its SIC code is 8300.