HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION firmographics
Firmographics- 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
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION industry classification
Industry- 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
Where HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION product offering
Product offeringCore 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.
Companies that use HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered moderate.
- The519moderateLGBTQ+ community organization partner, listed as a partner on the Homes First website
- ICHA (Interfaith Caregivers Alliance)moderateInterfaith Caregivers Alliance - listed as a partner organization on the Homes First website
- ParkdalemoderateCommunity organization partner in the Parkdale area
- Toronto Humane SocietymoderatePartnered with Homes First to provide Wellness Vet Clinic services at the 224 Spadina site, bringing veterinary care directly to tenants and their pets
- SafeHousemoderateSafety team partner that collaborated with Homes First and Toronto Humane Society for the Wellness Vet Clinic program
- Toronto Council FiremoderatePartner 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
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- 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
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION social profiles
Digital presenceHOMES FIRST FOUNDATION financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION 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 FOUNDATION
What does HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION do?
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.
Is HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION a public or private company?
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION founded?
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION was founded in 1983. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION based?
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
Who are HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION's main competitors?
Canadian Observatory on Homelessness is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area and The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre & Shelter Services. Direct peers are YWCA Toronto, Fred Victor, Covenant House Toronto, Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth, Dixon Hall and Good Shepherd Ministries. A Way Home Canada is listed as an emerging player.
Does HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION have an API?
No public API is recorded for HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION.
What industry is HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION in?
HOMES FIRST FOUNDATION's product category is Homeless and Supportive Housing Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIANAC, Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services. Its NAICS code is 624221 and its SIC code is 8300.