About Homeless Canada
Homeless Canada is a nonprofit that focuses on people who are homeless and living with disabilities, alcoholism or drug addiction. These are the people most likely to fall through the cracks: turned away from shelters, stuck on waitlists, and dying of preventable causes.
We believe:
- Housing is a human right. Canada recognized this in law in 2019, under the National Housing Strategy Act.
- Addiction and disability are health issues, not moral failures or crimes.
- Nobody has to earn safety. You deserve care whether or not you're sober, whether or not you're "ready".
- People with lived experience know best what works, and deserve to lead.
- Clear information saves lives. That's why we built this guide in plain language, free for anyone.
Get in touch
Found something wrong or out of date in this guide? Know a service we should mention? Want to volunteer, partner with us or support our work? We'd love to hear from you.
Email us:
info@homelesscanada.caWe are not a crisis service and may not reply right away. If you need help now, call 211, or 988 if you're in crisis, or 911 in an emergency.
Questions people ask
Do I have to be sober to get help?
No. Low-barrier shelters, drop-ins, harm reduction programs, many health clinics and Housing First programs do not require sobriety. Some treatment programs and recovery houses do, but they can help you get through detox first.
Will calling 911 for an overdose get me arrested?
The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act protects you and the person overdosing from simple possession charges and related condition breaches when you call for help. It doesn't cover trafficking or unrelated warrants. For almost everyone at an overdose, calling is the right thing to do. It saves lives.
Can a hospital turn me away because I'm homeless or have no health card?
A hospital emergency department must assess and treat you in an emergency, with or without a health card or address. Tell them your situation and ask to see a social worker before you leave.
Can I get disability benefits if my disability is addiction?
It depends on the program and the province. Some provincial programs don't accept addiction alone as a qualifying disability, but many people with addiction also have other conditions (mental illness, brain injury, chronic pain, liver disease, mobility problems) that do qualify. Talk to a doctor and an advocate or legal clinic before you apply.
I've been on a waitlist forever. Is it worth staying on?
Yes. Stay on every list you're on, keep your contact information updated, and check in regularly. People lose their place because they can't be reached. Ask what else you can do while you wait, and whether anything about your situation changes your priority.
I got banned from a shelter. What now?
Ask how long the ban lasts and whether you can appeal it. Most shelters have a process. Ask 211 and outreach workers about other shelters. If the ban was about behaviour caused by a disability or mental health condition, you may have a human rights claim. Talk to a legal clinic.
Can I get help if I don't have ID?
Yes. Many shelters, drop-ins, food programs and health clinics don't require ID. Emergency care doesn't. And ID clinics and workers can help you replace your ID, often for free.
Is this site run by the government?
No. Homeless Canada is an independent nonprofit. We don't provide beds, money or medical care ourselves. We point you to the places that do. Always confirm details locally, because services, hours and rules change.