What We Do

Our House

Located at 169-171 1/2 Shaw Street, House of Compassion accommodates 21 residents. Each resident has a furnished private bedroom with a key entry door; washrooms and bathrooms are shared. Washers and dryers are available for resident use, with laundry products provided. There are several common areas on the first level and basement levels for resident use and the kitchen and dining room on the first floor serve as the central congregating area. We also have a front porch and a beautiful garden area in the back yard for residents to enjoy. The house is centrally located, is convenient to public transportation and streetcar service is available on both Queen Street and Dundas Street.

What We Offer:

Affordable housing in Toronto
A safe, permanent and supportive home and community
Staff on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Support in accessing rental assistance
Advocacy and co-ordination of external supports
Informal counseling, crisis prevention and intervention
Healthy prepared meals, as well as support with meal planning
Assistance and support in following prescribed medication schedules
Housekeeping services
Mail, telephone, internet, fax and television services
In addition to the above, all residents of House of Compassion are provided with the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of social recreational activities, such as visual arts programming, music programming, health education and regular community celebrations.

Our Culture of Care

At House of Compassion we believe that wellness is encouraged through stability, support and the realization of personal hopes, dreams and aspirations. We strive to provide a positive, respectful environment that understands the unique needs of each resident. In supporting individuals on their personal journey towards optimal wellness, House of Compassion holds recovery and person-centered support as core principles which promote the concepts of self-determination, choice, citizenship and community integration. We believe that an improved quality of life requires emotional and physical well-being, a sense of belonging, proper support and hope for the future.

Our Model Works

Research consistently, and increasingly, points to supportive housing as an effective model for promoting stability amongst individuals who are living with mental illness and in breaking cycles of institutionalization and/or homelessness.

We see the impact when a resident’s story changes. Stories of moving away from feelings of shame and stigma and towards feelings of dignity and hope, from a life of chaos and fear to a life of stability and safety, from unrelenting isolation to a sense of community.

Broader Impact

House of Compassion’s model of care greatly minimizes the risk to our residents of experiencing homelessness and/or institutionalization and helps to reduce the use of costly systems, such as hospital emergency rooms. The care that we provide also allows for residents to age in the community where round-the clock support can be provided.

Furthermore, we help to create space for positive peer and family engagement while alleviating many of the pressures that some caregivers can experience.

Finally, we help to create welcoming and diverse neighbourhoods by demonstrating a model for positive community development and integration.