Homes First develops and provides affordable, stable housing and support services to break the cycle of homelessness for people with the fewest housing options.
Everyone has a home.
The vast majority of people experiencing homelessness – even those with severe mental health and/or substance use challenges – can successfully stay housed and off the street with appropriate housing and supports.
Homes First has been providing supportive housing programs to the city’s most vulnerable people for 40 years.
Homes First has maintained a Housing First ethos focused on providing comprehensive wrap-around services to our clients once their immediate need for housing is addressed.
We currently support over 2,500 individuals, including seniors, adults and families, each night. Our agency operates 26 properties in Toronto, ranging from emergency shelters and apartment buildings offering long-term supportive housing.
Get to know the Homes First Leadership team. Click here to meet our Governance team.
We’re continuously looking for great people to join us in our fight for those experiencing homelessness in Toronto. If you think our missions and values align, click on the button below to see and apply for open positions.
We can’t wait to meet you!
No who calls Toronto home should be without one.
Homelessness is a complex, urgent and growing issue in Toronto.
Visit Toronto’s Shelter System Flow Data webpage for further insight into shelter use in our city.
This number continues to grow.
Below are some significant resources and articles in the housing and homeless sector we’d like to share.
Patricia has worked in the social housing sector for more than twenty years. All of her career choices have had the connecting theme of the support of individual and group empowerment.
Patricia has been the senior leader at Homes First for more than fifteen years. Homes First Society develops and provides affordable, stable housing and support services to break the cycle of homelessness for people with the fewest housing options throughout the City of Toronto. Homes First is financially viable, well managed, and greatly respected by the City of Toronto and other funders. It is poised for growth and positioned well for the future.
Jamie has worked in the housing and homelessness sector for over 20 years. Jamie’s life work is based on the belief that everyone needs a home. Over the years he has worked on the front lines as a shelter worker, a housing worker, and a case support worker. Additionally, he spent time as a Housing and Shelter supervisor, manager and as the Director of Housing and Shelters.
His work has focused on providing shelter, housing, and support services to people who are most vulnerable, most marginalized and have the fewest housing options. He is currently dedicated to developing a variety of Housing programs specifically designed to meet the needs of Toronto’s chronic homeless population.
Bio coming soon!
Justin Ryan is the Director of Property Management operation at Homes First, managing 14 properties from low rise to high rise as well as seven 24-hour emergency shelters and three hotel shelter programs in the City of Toronto. He has 25 years of extensive experience in the property development and property management field. Over his past 10 years with Homes First, Justin’s management and organization of the maintenance programs and contracts has significantly reduced the organization’s operating costs and has helped foster a healthier environment for residents and employees. His ability to understand and manage residents with extreme complex issues and pairing that with design and development has provided safer environments. Projects he has managed in this time include four large scale elevator modernizations, a 57-thousand square foot floor resurfacing project, a 64 unit building hydro vault replacement, as well as an eight-unit building addition.
Justin has a wealth of experience in property management activities in both shelter and housing program models. He also has lengthy experience in the management of both non-owned and owned building facilities management (preventative maintenance).
Dana Hansen has over ten years of fundraising and management experience within the Canadian non-profit sector, dedicating her time to causes close to her heart. Having joined the Homes First organization almost five years ago, Dana launched the agency’s inaugural Capital Campaign, Homefull Toronto and continues to provide strategic direction for all fund development related initiatives.
Dana is passionate about helping others and making a lasting difference in the lives of our city’s most vulnerable populations. As Director of Fundraising and Development, Dana is committed to a holistic approach to elevating Homes First’s efforts to address chronic homelessness in Toronto. She believes that together, we can build a Homefull Toronto and invites all interested in effecting positive change to join her.
Michael Potvin MSW., PhD Candidate, is a Director of Client Services with Homes First and oversees a department responsible for providing Housing First case management programs, harm reduction and health services, and oversees evaluations and research. Michael’s work focuses on implementing Evidence Base Practices (EBP) in homeless services, evaluations, and using data to monitor and inform responsive programming to better serve client’s needs.
Michael Potvin holds a Master of Social Work degree from University of Toronto and is completing his PhD at McMaster University. Michael’s training, research, and education centre around homelessness, Housing First, trauma, psychosis, internalized stigma and oppression and EBP interventions in the homeless sector such as Critical Time Intervention (CTI).
Lacey has worked with Homes First since 2020, working in various roles including as a Manager of several of our shelter programs and as the Assistant Director of Client Services.
Lacey has a background in case management, supportive housing and harm reduction and is currently dedicated to developing housing programs and services to better serve Toronto’s unhoused population and those with the fewest housing options.
Necole has been active in the housing sector of over 17 years, having joined Homes First in 2007. Necole’s focus as the Assistant Director of Property Management is optimize Homes First’s opening of new programs, supporting property acquisitions, and capital projects. Supporting residents’ goals in both shelter and housing remain Necole’s top priority and looks forward to any opportunity to work directly with our residents.
Kereen Wells has been with Homes First since 2019, working in several roles, including Case Management Supervisor, Site Manager, and Manager of Shelter Response Programs.
With a strong passion for supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, Kereen is deeply committed to the belief that everyone deserves a home. Throughout her career, she has focused on developing and enhancing services to provide stability, support, and housing solutions for those in need.
With over 20 years of dedicated service at Homes First, Steve Jennex has established himself as a passionate advocate for those experiencing homelessness. Steve’s journey began as a frontline worker, where he deepened his understanding of the complexities faced by individuals within the shelter system. His exceptional skills and commitment to enhancing the lives of others quickly led him to supervisory and managerial roles, allowing him to mentor new staff and strengthen operational processes.
As the Assistant Director of Shelters, Steve provides strategic leadership and oversight for our shelter programs, ensuring that they not only meet the immediate needs of our clients but also foster an environment of dignity and respect. His extensive experience and deep-rooted knowledge of the shelter landscape in Canada enable him to implement innovative solutions that address both current challenges and long-term goals.
Steve is devoted to collaboration, working closely with community partners and stakeholders to create impactful programs that empower individuals to transition to stable housing. His unwavering dedication to social justice and inclusion reflects Homes First’s mission, making him an invaluable leader within our organization.
Bio coming soon!
