Support for asylum claimants

If you need a temporary place to stay, Peel Region has dedicated emergency shelters, specifically focused on the unique needs of asylum claimants. If you are an asylum claimant or know an asylum claimant who needs a place to stay, call 905-450-1996.

Our staff will do our best to find you a spot, however due to high demand, we cannot guarantee placement in Peel.

Do not arrive at Dundas shelter unannounced. The fastest way for use to find you a suitable place to stay is to call 905-450-1996.

Shelters in Peel are staffed by qualified professionals. If you're transgender or gender nonconforming, we will work with you to find a shelter that’s comfortable and aligned with your needs.

Peel Region has a zero tolerance policy for any form of racism, violence, or harassment including but not limited to aggressive behaviour, physical threats or verbal abuse. We encourage everyone to conduct themselves in a respectful manner to maintain a positive environment for everyone.

Failure to comply with Peel’s zero tolerance policy will result in discharge from the shelter.

If a resident is in immediate danger and risk to their safety, they should call 911 immediately.

Your comfort

From the moment you enter a shelter, there are supports and a plan to ensure a safe and appropriate exit from shelter and into more appropriate housing with the end goal of permanent, affordable housing.

We can accommodate dietary restrictions and aim to provide a culturally safe, and inclusive environment in all our shelters. Let staff know of any requirements you may have.

Emergency shelters outside Peel

There may be spots available in emergency shelters outside of Peel Region.

• Halton 1-866-442-5488
• Durham 905-668-4113
• Waterloo 519-624-9133
• York 1-877-464-9675 ext. 76140

If you need help finding affordable housing in Peel, complete our online screening tool.

Due to high demand, it may take 8 to 12 weeks for us to review your application.

Affordable housing list for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Smaller municipalities that are more likely to have a shorter waiting list.

• Chatham-Kent
• London  
• Niagara Region
• Stratford
• Sudbury 
• Windsor

Access an interactive map of cooperative housing locations. Wait times vary.

Summarized list of apartment postings within the GTA. These are typically gathered from multiple advertising sites.

Newspaper classified sites.

Apartment listing websites:

• Kijiji
• 4rent
• gottarent.com
• viewit
• rentseeker
• zumper
• padmapper
• rentboard

We are working to help all asylum claimants in Peel settle into the community for either a short while or for a long time.

We are focusing on:

• Getting other governments involved in helping asylum claimants.
• Getting the right information to the right people at the right time.
• Working more closely with other settlement and service providers.
• Seeing where certain aspects are missing from settlement support systems and suggesting opportunities to address them.

Peel Region has also united with service providers in the community to provide:

• Settlement services at temporary Peel Region shelters.
• Information and referrals to other supports such as counselling, pre-employment support, translation, and support to 2SLGBTQ+.

How Peel residents can support asylum claimants

Shelters regularly accept hygiene products (toothpaste, shampoo, bars of soap, body wash etc), feminine hygiene products, socks and undergarments. If you would like to donate any of these items email us.

Because of health and safety concerns, prepared food donations are only accepted under strict standards.

Meals and snacks are provided by shelter staff.

If you can provide a place to stay for asylum claimants in need, email housing help.

Access these services in Peel for help and information about money, health, and adjusting to life in Peel.

The Orientation to Ontario Workbook gives newcomers information about health care, education, child care, employment opportunities and housing in the Province of Ontario.

Ontario Works

If you need help paying for food and shelter, financial help is available from the Ontario government called Ontario Works. This is also sometimes known as social assistance.

If you want to apply for Ontario Works, you must have official papers that prove you’ve made a claim for refugee protection.

Health care

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) will temporarily pay for some health care services for refugee claimants in Canada if the claimants do not have provincial, territorial, or private health-care coverage.

Refugee HealthLine

Call the Refugee HealthLine for free at 1-866-286-4770. The Refugee HealthLine is available in many languages. It will connect refugee claimants with health care providers who deliver temporary health care and services. Refugees, resettlement assistance programs, sponsors, and settlement agencies can also call the Refugee HealthLine to help match refugees with:

• Primary care providers (refugee health clinics, community health centres, family health teams, nurse practitioner-led clinics, midwifery practices, physician practices, and walk-in clinics).
• Specialists (obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, and psychiatry).
• Mental health service providers.
• Optometrists.

The Refugee HealthLine will refer agencies and individuals to the closest providers who can help give eligible patients temporary care.

Adjusting to life in Peel

Settlement.org is a website that gives newcomers and refugees information and resources about living in Ontario.

Visit this website to:

• Get important information.
• Read relevant news.
• Ask questions.
• Share your experiences with others.
• Get a list of community organizations.

ImmigrationPeel.ca

ImmigrationPeel.ca provides newcomers to Canada with information about local services, programs, and events that will help them adjust and embrace the Peel Community faster and easier.