Empower Simcoe - Regional Housing Support Services

Empower Simcoe helps people in Simcoe County who are having trouble finding or keeping a place to live. Their housing support services are for people who:​

• Are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• Need help finding affordable housing
• Are landlords looking for support and resources to work with tenants

Housing Resource Centres offer many types of help, including:

• Weekly housing list of available rentals

• Support with housing applications and finding a safe, affordable place to live

• Help understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant

• Landlord/tenant mediation

• Resources and advice for landlords to build strong relationships with tenants

• Access to the RentSmart Course, a free workshop that teaches renters how to be successful tenants

• Referrals to Redwood Furniture Bank

• Guidance with filling out applications for programs like the Housing Retention Fund or Energy Assistance Programs (Empower Simcoe does not run these programs, but they can help you apply)

​​​Outreach Locations Housing Access Workers also provide this support at other community agencies

• see Outreach Locations - Drop-in

Weekly mailing list of the latest available rentals in Barrie, South Georgian Bay, North Simcoe and Orillia regions. Click here and scroll down to sign up: https://www.empowersimcoe.ca/housing-supports/#hrc

• Call to make an appointment and to get an application form
• Drop-in at Outreach Locations
• Referral - social agency
• Referral - self
• Applications for heating assistance (electric or gas) are accepted from Oct-Apr
• Landlord Partnership Program: fill out form on website by clicking here.

• Age Requirement: 16 years and up
• Young adults and adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, low income or having a special need that affects ability to obtain or maintain adequate affordable housing
• Rent Supplement or Housing Allowance: for tenant eligibility and unit eligibility click here