PHASE – Preventing Homelessness and encouraging Self-Empowerment

At least 30,000 Canadians are homeless on any given night and as many as an additional 50,000 Canadians may be ‘hidden homeless’.

According to The State of Homelessness in Canada 2013 Report, at least 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness in any given year and at least 150,000 Canadians a year use a homeless shelter.  The ‘hidden homeless’, often referred to as couch surfing, include people who are temporarily staying with friends, family, relatives or others as they have nowhere else to live and no immediate prospect of permanent housing.

Break the Cycle of Homelessness

Preventing Homelessness and encouraging Self-Empowerment (PHASE) focuses on the ‘root’ cause of homelessness, while providing the necessary support and services to secure and maintain permanent housing.  PHASE is administered by Housing Information Services (HIS) in Windsor and Essex County and funded in part by the Government of Ontario.

PHASE participants identify their barriers and circumstances that have led to their current situation of homelessness.  They are provided guidance and support to seek and ultimately find alternative options in order to break the cycle of homelessness and prevent future chances of falling into homelessness.

phase_singlemomThe Objective of PHASE is to:
  • identify the primary issues that led to the crisis situation for the family;
  • provide immediate and intensive case management to assess their current situation;
  • identify the family’s needs and determine available resources in the community to meet those needs.

Are You at Risk of Homelessness?

PHASE works to prevent homelessness by assisting families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Windsor and Essex County, offering immediate intervention and housing.

The PHASE Program:

  • provides transitional housing for up to one (1) year to homeless families in a four-plex apartment building (4 units with 2 bedrooms in each);
  • provides counselling and support to tenants in order to secure permanent housing and maintain contact for a period of up to twelve (12) months;
  • provides assistance to tenants with transitional housing while they work through life issues and establish stability;
  • empowers families to obtain and maintain permanent housing.

If you are at risk of homelessness or currently homeless and in need of emergency housing, contact us at Housing Information Services and we will make every effort to assist you.