Cota’s Assertive Housing First Teams (AHFTs) are two interdisciplinary teams that provide intensive supports to adults (18+ years) using a Housing First model of service. This service is available to individuals who are homeless in the city of Toronto and living with a serious mental health challenge and/or co-occurring substance use issues and physical health complexities. Fifty percent (50%) of the AHFT service capacity is reserved for individuals who are also experiencing co-occurring justice system involvement and who are referred from designated sources, including Toronto-based Mental Health Court Support programs and Gladue Court, the Toronto South Detention Centre, Toronto East Detention Centre and Vanier Centre for Women. The AHFT team works with individuals to find safe, affordable housing and provides support to help individuals maintain housing stability and pursue personal recovery.

For more information or to make a referral: Please call The Access Point at at 1-(888)-640-1934 or visit their website at www.theaccesspoint.ca.

FOCUS is a program offered in collaboration with St. Michael’s Hospital (SMH). This service offers support to individuals (18-65 years) living within SMH’s catchment area who are experiencing current serious mental health issues that significantly impair their ability to function and live well in the community. Challenges in community functioning may be demonstrated in areas of housing (e.g., multiple evictions), physical health, coexisting substance use disorder, and criminal justice involvement. This is an interdisciplinary team, that offers a shared care model of support and which offers flexible levels of intensity of support, depending on the client needs.

For more information or to make a referral: Please call The Access Point at at 1-(888)-640-1934 or visit their website at www.theaccesspoint.ca.