Homelessness Response Services
YMCA Rural Housing & Homelessness Outreach works to prevent, address and reduce homelessness in our community.
We do this by:
- Assisting people in need of emergency shelter
- Providing advocacy and referrals to community services
- Working with individuals and families to create and implement an action plan to secure long term sustainable housing that meets their needs
YMCA Rural Homeless Outreach Workers visit known encampments to deliver basic supplies such as water, snacks, socks, mitts, and sanitation supplies.
If you are aware of an encampment, please notify our staff so we can check on individuals in that area.
As part of eviction prevention services, offered to both tenants and landlords, there are a variety of financial assistance programs to help with basic needs.
If you, or your tenant(s), are having difficulty paying bills on an ongoing basis, an Outreach Worker can help you identify and apply for financial assistance.
Programs may include:
- Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)
- Ontario Works (OW)
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
- Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
- Other programs to assist with rental arrears, and home ownership
We work with individuals and families to keep them in their homes and avoid becoming homeless. If you are at risk of eviction, contact an Outreach Worker today: 519-371-9222
We provide support to:
- Adults in Bruce County, in partnership with Bruce County Housing
- Youth in Grey or Bruce County, aged 16 years or older
As transportation is a challenge across our region, services and support are provided in a location that is easiest for the client to access.
Call 519-371-9222 to make an appointment, or 211 for after-hours support.
Contact Us:
To connect with an Outreach Worker
Call: 519-371-9222
Email: housing@osgb.ymca.ca
Tenant Resources
Bruce County Housing Stability Fund Application
If you are a Bruce County resident who needs assistance with utility arrears, rent arrears, first or last month’s rent and/or moving expenses please visit this website to complete your application.
Webinar for Frontline Workers on Tenants’ Rights During COVID-19 (Recorded June 16, 2020)
Your Guide to Renting a Home
Whether you are a first-time renter or an experienced tenant, this section will help you look for and evaluate potential accommodations and understand your rights and responsibilities. Links to useful worksheets and sample letters are also included.- Eviction Solution Explorer can help you if your landlord is trying to evict you because of unpaid rent. It asks you questions about your situation, gives you information to help you answer them, and creates documents based on your answers. It’s free to use.
Door to Door Sales and Home Service Contracts
Know your rights when you sign a contract at your door. Learn about avoiding common door-to-door scams for water heaters, home heating, and other services.Ontario tenants now have additional protection from eviction
When a landlord ends a tenancy to have family members move in, people evicted must receive compensation.
The following worksheets and sample letters can help you from the beginning of your rental search to the end of your tenancy.
View our series of Tenant Voices on YouTube, which includes information and discussion from tenants in Grey Bruce.
Landlord Resources
- Landlord’s Self Help Centre
- Bed Bug Information
- Landlord’s Self Help Centre
- Your Guide to Renting a Home – Landlords
Whether you rent multiple units in a high-rise or an apartment in your basement, you need to know many things about finding tenants and making your rental business work to your advantage. This section covers key business and legal aspects of being a landlord or a property manager. - Hydro Upgrades for Landlords
Hydro One is working with housing providers to help tenants reduce their energy use. If your building qualifies for the Home Assistance program, your tenants could receive FREE energy-efficient upgrades to make their homes more comfortable and help you better manage electricity costs. - Ontario tenants now have additional protection from eviction
When a landlord ends a tenancy to have family members move in, people evicted must receive compensation.
View our series of Landlord Voices on YouTube, which includes information and discussion from landlords in Grey Bruce.
