Beyond Shelter: Housing Support that Empowers Stability

Helping people access or remain in housing is incredibly important to a resilient community. According to the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, the most recent census (2021) shows that nearly 1 in 4 Hamiltonians live in unaffordable housing, that is, housing that costs more than 30% of their household income. More than 1,500 people are currently homeless in Hamilton.

Housing support is one of the many vital services that we provide at Mission Services. While we do not supply housing, designated workers at each of our sites help clients and those referred to us with support, helping them find or stay in housing, adding stability to their lives.

“If we can help someone get housed, it adds stability to their life. They have the safety and security of having a roof over their head. That also frees up a shelter bed so that someone else can come in out of the cold and start the process themselves,” said Carol Cowan-Morneau, Executive Director of Mission Services.

“Part of our mission statement is about ‘empowering people to find their way forward,’” said Carol, “Coming alongside people and helping them navigate the process is a great way to ensure they are able to succeed.”

Each of our shelter locations features staff who work with clients to achieve their housing goals. Often, there are barriers that clients need to overcome before they can find housing.

“Many of our clients are missing important paperwork or are having difficulty navigating the system. We work with them to ensure that they have things like their birth certificate and their social insurance number,” said Kat, Systems Navigator at Emma’s Place. “Then, we ensure that they have a bank , reliable access to social assistance programs, and a steady source of income. Once they have all those systems in place, then we work with them to find affordable housing solutions.”

Not every client that Mission Services assists is unhoused. Sometimes, it’s about helping them stay housed.

Our housing support workers help this quest by ensuring they are aware of their tenant rights and connecting them with eviction diversion supports. Other services, like our Good Food Centre, also assist with keeping people housed by helping provide necessities so that they can divert more of their money to paying rent.

“If we can lessen someone’s burden by providing food, then it’s an expense that they don’t have to worry about,” said Jim, Associate Director of Food Services.

Our Safe at Home homelessness prevention program works with clients to ensure that those in abusive households aren’t forced out of their homes, but can be safe from harm where they live. In the end, Carol says, the overall goal is stability.

“If we can help people access housing or remain housed, we can help ensure stability in their lives. Once they have that stability, their possibilities are endless."