HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION

What HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION does

Homes First does not sell products or services to its beneficiaries; all services are provided free of charge. Funding comes from a mix of individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, event-based fundraising (Homes For Dinner gala), and government service contracts. The organization maintains a partner ecosystem that includes community groups (The519, Parkdale, ICHA) and specialized service providers (Toronto Humane Society for the Wellness Vet Clinic, SafeHouse, Toronto Council Fire for Indigenous cultural programming), which extend its service reach without direct delivery. Internally, Homes First operates standard non-profit SaaS tooling — CaseWorks for case management, Dayforce for HR and payroll, and ShiftLink for shift scheduling — with no proprietary technology products or AI/ML capabilities disclosed. The organization employs 501-1,000 staff and is governed as an independent entity with no parent company, private-equity backing, or institutional investors referenced in the source materials.

Name

HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION

Legal name

Homes First

Website

https://homesfirst.on.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Homes First Foundation is a Toronto-based registered Canadian charity that operates emergency shelters, supportive housing, and Housing First programs serving over 2,500 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, funded through donations, sponsorships, and government support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Supportive Housing Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Emergency shelter services
• Supportive housing programs
• Homelessness services
• Housing first programs
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Homes First Foundation delivers emergency shelter beds, permanent supportive housing units, and Housing First programs to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Toronto. It supplements housing with on-site health services, mental health and substance use support, the Homes First Care Kit Program (essential items), and community programming such as Homes For Dinner, operating a wraparound Housing First service model across multiple sites in the city.

Product overview

Homes First is a charitable organization (not a technology product company) that operates a portfolio of supportive housing programs and services for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness in Toronto. The organization provides Health Services and Housing First Programs as core offerings, managing multiple supportive housing sites including Dundalk House and All Saints - Dundas House. Additional programs include the Care Kit Program for essential items and Homes For Dinner community events. Internally, the organization utilizes CaseWorks for case management, Dayforce for HR and workforce management, and ShiftLink for staffing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health Services Health services delivered to residents and individuals experiencing homelessness to support physical and mental well-being, integrated with Homes First's housing programs.
• Housing First Programs Permanent supportive housing programs that prioritize placing individuals experiencing chronic homelessness into housing first, followed by ongoing wraparound support services.
• Dundalk House Homes First's inaugural modular supportive housing site in Toronto, providing permanent supportive housing units to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.
• All Saints - Dundas & Pembroke House Latest supportive housing site added to the Homes First portfolio, expanding permanent supportive housing capacity in Toronto.
• Homes First Care Kit Program Program that provides essential items needed by residents and individuals experiencing homelessness served by Homes First.
• Homes For Dinner Annual community fundraising event that brings supporters together to raise funds for Homes First's homelessness programs in Toronto.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered moderate.

• The519moderateOthersLGBTQ+ community organization partner, listed as a partner on the Homes First website
• ICHA (Interfaith Caregivers Alliance)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfaith Caregivers Alliance - listed as a partner organization on the Homes First website
• ParkdalemoderateOthersCommunity organization partner in the Parkdale area
• Toronto Humane SocietymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Homes First to provide Wellness Vet Clinic services at the 224 Spadina site, bringing veterinary care directly to tenants and their pets
• SafeHousemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafety team partner that collaborated with Homes First and Toronto Humane Society for the Wellness Vet Clinic program
• Toronto Council FiremoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing Indigenous cultural programming including Big Drum sessions at Homes First sites, with drummers Kevin Myran, Allan Okitchique, and Anthony Gladue

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Canadian Observatory on Homelessness: Canadian research and policy hub on homelessness, closely aligned with the Housing First framework that Homes First adopts. Adjacent enabling/knowledge partner rather than a direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area: Toronto-based affordable housing organization operating affordable home ownership and rental programs. Comparable geography and housing mission, but with a different housing-tenure model (ownership vs. supportive rental).
• The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre & Shelter Services: Operates emergency shelter and transitional housing services across Toronto as part of a national organization. Comparable in service line, with broader institutional backing and wider program scope.

Direct peers

• YWCA Toronto: Toronto-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and community programs, particularly for women and gender-diverse people. Comparable Toronto footprint and shelter/supportive housing model.
• Fred Victor: Toronto-based charitable organization providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Direct comparable in mission, geography, and service model to Homes First.
• Covenant House Toronto: Toronto-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and wraparound services for youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking. Comparable operating model and Toronto geography, with a youth-focused sub-segment.
• Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth: Toronto-based nonprofit providing shelter, housing, and trauma-informed support for homeless youth. Comparable Toronto geography and Housing First-adjacent operating approach.
• Dixon Hall: Toronto community services agency operating housing, shelter, and community programs across the city. Comparable in scope and geographic focus.
• Good Shepherd Ministries: Toronto-based nonprofit operating emergency shelters, drop-in services, and supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Closely comparable in service mix and client population.

Emerging players

• A Way Home Canada: National Canadian coalition focused on ending youth and adult homelessness through systems-level coordination. Adjacent in mission and methodology (Housing First alignment), but operates as a coordinating body rather than a direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Homes_First
• Facebookfacebook.com/HomesFirstTO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homes-first
• Instagraminstagram.com/homes_first

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION