Annual Report 2015

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Toronto Central Local HealthIntegra�on Network

Funding support by:

Canadian Mortgage Housing Corporation

City of Toronto, Shelter, Support, & Housing: • Hostel Services • Social Housing

Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network

Big on Bloor & Dig InCanadian Centre for Victims of TortureCentre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH)Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)Furniture BankParkdale Community Health CentreQueen West Community Health CentreScarborough Addiction Services PartnershipSeaton House

Second HarvestToronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC)Toronto North Support ServicesToronto Public HealthToronto Urban Health FundToronto Western Hospital ACT Team (Impact)University Health NetworkUnited Way Toronto & York Region

TABLE OF CONTENTSBoard of Directors 3Letter from the Society 3Letter from the Foundation 4Milestones & Accomplishments 5-6Stories 7-8Event Hosts & Sponsors 9Financials 9-10

Government Partners Community Partners

OUR MISSION Homes First develops and provides affordable, stable housing and support services to break the cycle of homelessness for people with the fewest housing options.

WHY? Because everyone needs a home.

Why does Toronto need Homes First?

BellevueFront cover photo is

our Bellevue property

Cost of 1 year at CAMH: $250,000Cost of 1 year at Homes First: $30,000Savings: $5,720,000 per year

1,928referrals and connections to community partners

351people in supportive housing

including children

141,344meals served

60,800nights of emergency shelter

23 CAMH patients now living at Homes First

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$7,000,000,000 Estimated amount homelessness costs the Canadian economy annually. Lookout Society, 2013

235,000 Estimated number of people who are homeless in Canada annually.The Canadian Press, 2016

35,000Estimated number of people who are homeless in Canada on a given night.The Canadian Press, 2016

50,000Estimated number of people who are “hidden homeless” -- defined as those without homes of their own and lean on friends or family for shelter -- on any given night.The Canadian Press, 2016

Average monthly cost of

Provincial Hospital Bed: $13,950The Globe and Mail, 2015

Provincial Jail Cell: $5,934 Stats Canada, 2013/14

Shelter Bed at Homes First’s Strachan House: $2,074

Social Housing Unit with Homes First: $1,484

1224156 Ontario IncSheila Baudisch-McCabeDesi & Bill BenetLisa BlakeLucy CameronPatricia CarlowJason DayDavid & Kelly D’CruzVincent de GrandpreChantal Desloges

Wendy DixHelen Flynn & John Hynan Leanne FosterMelissa FowleBob GauthierGraham GilesMarcus GuentherDaniel GuttmanGordon HamiltonKate Hatoum

Barbara HaynesDan HillPatrick Hinton-BarberCarol JamiesonGelareh JinEve JosephMoira KapralBryan KellingJason KinnearEmily Lawrence

Kallan LyonsMarie MacCormackAlison MackayNatasha MacparlandErica MaidmentMarsha MelnikMilestone Contracting Inc.Keren MoreheadShelagh O’Donnell Fran Perkins

Victoria PinhornSalima RawjiRobert & Brenda Read Jacqueline Roberts Mireille Roffe Wendy Rothwell Talia RovinskiSara UdowHelen ValleauTeneile Warren

2015HOME BUILDERS

By giving monthly, Home Builders support the critical programs and services that help residents lead healthy lives while gaining the skills and confidence needed to live in our community.

Cost of Homelessness

Every $1 spent providing housing and support for a homeless person with severe mental illness results in $2.17 in savings

The Globe and Mail, 2014

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In 2015, the Homes First team, consisting of the Board of Directors, management, and staff, worked together to provide the best possible housing for residents, ensuring that we provide a wide range of options to meet their diverse needs.

We are delighted to report that our strong fiscal base continues to meet the needs of our residents with a modest surplus.

Last year, we responded to requests from the City of Toronto and were awarded contracts to increase the capacity of our Scarborough Shelter by seven beds, and to add seven new rooms to provide additional permanent housing for individuals at Strachan House.

In addition, we continued to invest in maintenance and improvements at all of our buildings, including: fire panels, brick restoration, new kitchens, replacing boiler systems, roof repairs, and installing additional security systems. This work ensures the continued health and safety, as well as benefiting the quality of life, of our residents.

We are grateful for the support of the Sprott Foundation which enabled us to create programs to support the women at Savards, our shelter for women with mental health issues, to develop the skills to find and maintain housing.

Our Volunteer Program continued to grow in 2015; providing more volunteers to deliver quality programming, as well as the creation of more volunteer opportunities for our residents in the community. We look forward to the continued growth of this exciting program.

2015 also saw the Community Development Program continue to engage clients in exciting events such as Earth Week, the Homes First Annual Showcase, Pride Week, and the inaugural, multi-site barbeque events. In addition, programs such as the Diabetes Prevention Program and Writing for Recovery continue to be adapted to meet our residents’ needs.

The Board of Directors, led by the Portfolio Committee, have worked on the relocation of our Scarborough Shelter, and progress continues in our search for an appropriate site.

We continue to work closely with the Homes First Foundation in its efforts to build a strong fundraising base. Our Board and staff look forward to a strong future where we increase and improve our portfolio and provide more options to more people for supportive home environments.

From the Society

Patricia MuellerSociety Chief Executive Officer

Jeremy RoachSociety Chair

Jeremy Roach, ChairFran Perkins, Past ChairBeate Bowron, Secretary & Crossover Member Jose Querubin, Treasurer

Mo EttehadiehWes GerleeGabriele GrachAlan MakMark McMackinShelagh O’DonnellVladimir OrlovAlexis Van HalenPaulina SalamoEugenia Cappellaro Zavaleta

Megan Shortreed, ChairChantal Desloges, SecretaryDavid D’Cruz, TreasurerBeate Bowron, Crossover Member

Farhan Ali KhanSandra BartonDan GuttmanKate HatoumBarbara HaynesJason KinnearSalima RawjiAdrian Rocca

Board of Directors

SOCIETY

FOUNDATION

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The past year was a monumental one for the Foundation. It was a year when we said farewell to Marie MacCormack, our Executive Director, who left to pursue other challenges. We are so grateful to Marie for her leadership in helping us build the Foundation.

We are pleased to welcome Shirlene Courtis as our new Executive Director. Her wealth of experience and fresh approach has re-energized our fundraising efforts!

It was also a year that demonstrated significant financial growth and Board development. Our two signature events, Homes for Dinner and Tie One On saw increased participation in sponsorships, attendees and net revenue. We increased Homes First’s brand awareness across the GTA with an enhanced social media campaign, and outdoor advertising over the holidays. We secured many

returning and new donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. All of these efforts were done to benefit the Homes First Society, for whom we met all of our fundraising commitments.

As this is my final year as Chair, I would like to say how inspired I’ve been by the dedication of Homes First’s staff, volunteers, and particularly, the residents who have overcome incredible odds to improve their quality of life. As we move forward, the Foundation is poised to raise even greater funds to support the housing and shelter properties, and current and new programming to support our residents. It has been my honour to have served as a Society Director and Foundation Chair.

To our many donors, sponsors, friends and partners, your care and commitment to improving the lives of all of your neighbours in Toronto is truly appreciated.

From the Foundation

Megan ShortreedFoundation Chair

Shirlene Courtis CFREFoundation Executive Director

Staff Recognition

5 YEARSRuzica SiskoElana ZemelLeonard EdwardsJustin Ryan

10 YEARSPatricia MuellerMartin Lewis

15 YEARSRyan Facciolo

20 YEARSMaria Elena Escobar

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Increased Capacity at our Strachan & Scarborough SheltersOur Scarborough Shelter increased from 60 to 67 beds. At the Strachan Shelter, we built seven new rooms which enable Homes First to provide permanent housing for those individuals who are considered to have the highest needs in the City of Toronto.

Wanda’s Arts Awards In 2015, Homes First launched the Wanda’s Arts Awards; a bursary program supporting our residents who use art to cope and heal. The program is the first of its kind and was created in memory of Wanda

Noonan, a wonderful artist and former resident of Strachan House. Four recipients were presented with the award at our annual fundraiser, Tie One On.

The Investing In Neighborhoods ProgramHomes First continues to create job opportunities with qualified candidates who receive Ontario Works benefits through the Investing In Neighbourhoods Initiative. The City of Toronto Employment and Social Services connects us to amazing employees who help us give back to our community every day.

Savards Hope and Health ProgramWith the support of the Sprott Foundation, Homes First developed a program called Hope and Health for Savards. Over a three-year period, the main objectives are to improve the overall health of Savards residents, reduce the number of women who live long-term at the shelter, strengthen collaboration with other community agencies, improve residents’ connection to family, friends and community and reduce use of emergency care and cost to the provincial health care system.

In 2015, we established an exciting new partnership with University

Homes First information booth at Pride Toronto

Writing for Recovery session

Residents, staff and volunteers make lanterns for winter solsticeGlobal Toronto asks Patricia Mueller to share her insights on addressing the homeless crisis here in the GTA

Danika, Wanda’s Arts Award recipient

A resident singing Sinatra at the annual Showcase

A volunteer and residents making the Meegwetch gardens beautiful Diabetes Awareness & Prevention Peer-led workshop

Milestones &

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Health Network and Queen West Community Health Centre. We also increased the overall health of the residents by providing in-house mental health, psychiatric and medical care, as well as reducing the use of emergency care and cost to the provincial health care system.

Community Development Diabetes Awareness Program: Now in its second year, the Diabetes Prevention Program is a peer-to-peer initiative providing Type 2 Diabetes education to our residents. Our peer leaders run workshops at Homes First sites and in the community to spread awareness about the disease.

Writing for Recovery: Our peer-led writing program at Strachan and Savards engages residents in leading workshops and also incorporates harm reduction education and training.

Homes First Annual Showcase: Formerly known as the Strachan House Fashion Show, this annual event promotes self-confidence and creativity for residents who want to showcase their skills. From musical duos to spoken word poetry, residents, staff, and the community come together for one of the most unique talent shows Toronto has to offer.

Hearts and Hands Volunteer ProgramHearts and Hands, in its third year, continues to help people stay housed through an integrated two-way volunteer program that gets residents, neighbours, and donors engaged in their community. Community members volunteer weekly across our sites providing a range of workshops and programming including: arts classes, karaoke nights, knitting, health and nutrition workshops, computer classes, and meditation workshops to name just a few. In 2015, 231 new volunteers joined our Homes First and in total, gave over 3026 hours.

Wanda’s Arts Awards ceremony at Tie One On

Staff and residents gearing up for Earth Day clean-up Susan receiving a Holiday HamperVolunteer-led Yoga session at Meegwetch

Volunteer-led arts program

Residents and volunteers partake in a Walking Group down by the lakeshore

Accomplishments

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Ivan: A sense of place and purposeIvan turned up at the Homes First’s Scarborough Shelter about three-years ago after having lived a transient life. The hale, 70-year-old, affectionately known as “Pops” is originally from Jamaica but has been living in Toronto since the late 1960s. His experience with homelessness had been particularly difficult because it took place late in his life.

“I was living the life when I was younger, having a family, having a job, partnerships in businesses, travelling, and things like that,” Ivan says. “So at my age, when I [became] homeless, it was at a time when it was crippling for me. I wasn’t young anymore.”

Facing the specter of living on the streets in his seventies, Ivan instead spent the next three years at our shelter in Scarborough. “It was very hard for me,” he says. “But what Homes First gave me is a sense of belonging, making the best of a bad situation.”

With the support and guidance he received from Homes First staff,

Ivan eventually transitioned to a room at Strachan House where he stayed for eight months. But when a bachelor apartment became available at Bellevue in Kensington Market, he leapt at the chance to have his own self-contained space, with his own kitchen and bathroom, and a place for his book collection and other belongings (“Things that inspire me and enlighten me,” Ivan says). He picked up the keys to his new place at the beginning of April.

When you ask him how he feels about having his own place now, his face lights up and he starts to laugh. “It’s like heaven compared to hell,” he says with a chuckle.

“The most important thing, it gives me a peace of mind,” says Ivan. “I can make my own decisions and do things of my own accord. I can feel good if one of my kids and my family were to visit me. That was something that I had a big problem with over the years. I felt detached from the family that I had, because I didn’t have the courage… for them to come and visit me at the

shelter, even at Strachan House. It’s no palace, but it’s somewhere acceptable; its livable conditions, and I could feel that lift, that comfort.”

Ivan is not one to take his improved conditions for granted. Twice-a-week, on Thursdays and Fridays, when he’s not doing small jobs in construction or warehouse work, he makes the one-hour TTC journey back to the Scarborough Shelter where he volunteers his time unloading trucks, cleaning up the yard, working in the stockroom, or assisting in the kitchen. To Ivan, Homes First feels like an “extended family.” It’s about being part of the community and giving back, and the sense of purpose and confidence it gives him.

“The Homes First experience for me is still happening,” Ivan says. “It gave me the opportunity to believe in myself and to believe that there was somebody out there looking out for me.”

Written by Jim Kelly, Volunteer Blogger

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Norma: Discovering her artistic spiritSay what you will about Norma, but she’s definitely not a stereotype. A self-identified artist, Norma worked as an administrative professional for years and never thought she’d end up homeless. But, she says, “Life takes funny turns.”

Norma heard about Homes First while staying at a temporary shelter. The shelter was only meant to be a temporary stepping stone until she found another place of her own, and living there was a hard transition. With Homes First, she has support as well as autonomy and her own space, which has literally given her room to create art.

Norma grew up in Guyana and immigrated to Canada, “the land of milk and honey.” About 40-years ago, she enrolled in an administrative program at Shaw College and then got a job at York University, moving on to the University of Toronto, and then

to the Ministry of Housing. For the next few years, Norma moved around, working for other big-name organizations like CIBC and Scotiabank. She describes the work as “interesting,” and it wasn’t until recently that she uncovered the artistic spirit that’s been in her all along.

Norma has been with Homes First for the past year, starting at the Savards Shelter, and then moving to Strachan. She’s still part of the writing program at Savards, and returns once-a-week to participate. She knew that there was an art program at Savards, but didn’t get involved until one day she saw people painting on canvases. They convinced her to head to the basement, where the program took place. “It was such a release of stress to put the brush onto the canvas. I said ‘Wow, what a feeling!’ and I started painting and I never stopped.”

Living in a shelter, Norma says, is supposed to be a depressing place. Thanks to Homes First and staff members like Misty, a moment in Norma’s life that would typically be thought of as rock bottom has had a silver lining. Norma calls Misty “one of my inspirations. When I think that things are impossible, she makes them possible. It’s really a plus, when you have people who can motivate you.”

Norma is constantly challenging herself, whether it’s exhibiting her artwork at the Riverdale branch of the Toronto Public Library. Norma thinks of home as a place to rest and relax, and is up to the challenge of eventually finding her own home again.

“This hopelessness that I had before, I don’t have anymore,” she says, smiling. “It’s a journey that I never expected to travel, so I’m looking forward to bigger things.”

It’s really a plus, when you have people who can motivate you.

Written by Kimberly Greene, Volunteer Blogger

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Statement of Financial Poistion (as of December 31)

2015 2014

ASSETSCurrent

Cash and cash equivalents $308,447 $296,423

Term deposit 94,210 94,210

Prepaids 513 4,348

HST rebate receivable 6,709 8,592

Total Assets $427,294 $410,321

LIABILITIESCurrent

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $25,784 $13,551

Due to Homes First Society 9,458 2,034

Total Liabilities 35,242 15,585

FUND BALANCESNet Assets 392,052 394,736

Total Liabilities and Fund Balances $427,294 $410,321

Statement of Operations and Changes in Net Assets2015 2014

REVENUESDonations and fundraising $501,801 $412,309

Grants 31,429 107,432

Interest 1,324 1,345

Total Revenues 534,554 521,086

EXPENDITURESWages and benefits 164,318 145,428

Fundraising activities 184,495 89,570

Administrative overhead 21,158 16,850

Total Expenditures 369,971 251,848

Excess of revenues over expenditures before other item

164,583 269,238

OTHER EXPENSEDisbursement to Homes First Society 167,267 111,184

Excess of revenues over expenditures for the year

-2,684 158,054

Net assets, beginning of year 394,736 236,682

Net assets, end of year $392,052 $394,736

Homes First Foundation

HOSTS:Alan Dean & Kathy Kinnear

Andrew YounghusbandBri Trypuc, Matthew & Marnie Consky

Carole Anne & Steve Mastoras

Carolyn RohalyCathryn Sawicki & Minister John McCallum

Corey MintzCouncillor Ana BailaoDavid D’CruzDavid Smagata & Robert Lapper

Diane McQuaigDominique Hussey & Alan Gardner

Don SchmittEron NovalskiGlen Jennings & Marie Henein

Jonathan Rosenthal with Chef Couillard

Leith MooreBeaus at The DepanneurLinda Rothstein & Ian Roland

Marni Whitaker & Richard Wozenilek

Mary & David NeelandsNeil PhillipsPatricia Werner

Robynn & Scott JolliffeWayne KentSusan de Cartier & Thomas Pinto Basto

GOLD SPONSORSDiamond Corp.Grange of Prince Edward Vineyards and Estate Winery

RBC Capital MarketsTD Canada TrustToronto StarTricon Capital GroupWilliam Ashley China

SILVER SPONSORSFilion Wakely Thorup Angeletti LLP

Goodmans LLPRaymond JamesBMO Capital MarketsGMP Securities L.P.MOD Developments Pivotal Projects LtdNational Homes

BRONZE SPONSORSBA Consulting Group Ltd.

Sorbara Group of Companies

Odan-Detech Group Inc.Lexis NexisDtahJonah Group

GOLDOutfront MediaNational Post

SILVERFuller Landau LLPPaliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP

Turner Fleischer Architects Inc.

BRONZEAkler, Browning, Frimet & Landzberg LLP

Desloges Law GroupFerris + Associates IncKrcmar Surveyors LtdMcMillan LLPMinto GroupR.E. Millward + Associates Ltd

Terraplan Landscape Architects

Urban Strategies Inc.Zubas + Associates Employment Lawyers

Thanks to our Tie One On 2015 Sponsors:

Thanks for supporting Homes For Dinner 2015

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Statement of Financial Position (as of December 31) 2015 2014

ASSETSCurrent:

Cash and cash equivalents $987,935 $794,565

Accounts receivable 191,674 150,920

Government funding receivable 518,388 447,927

Prepaids 87,268 100,495

Total Current Assets 1,785,265 1,493,907

Restricted investments 2,020,536 1,911,181

Assets under capital lease 4,638,003 5,111,141

Property and equipment 8,508,426 9,135,774

TOTAL ASSETS $16,952,230 $17,652,003

LIABILITIESAccounts payable and accrued liabilities

$1,000,564 $779,629

Government remittances payable $13,990 $17,829

Deferred contributions 206,845 158,103

Current portion of mortgages payable 962,573 2,807,137

Total Current Liabilities 2,183,972 3,762,698

Deferred contributions related to property & equipment

1,212,617 1,398,037

Restricted contributions 113,995 112,255

Mortgages payable 10,688,348 9,758,850

TOTAL LIABILITIES 14,198,932 15,031,840

NET ASSETSExternally restricted net assets 1,639,348 1,557,341

Internally restricted net assets 267,193 241,585

Unrestricted net assets 846,757 821,237

TOTAL NET ASSETS 2,753,298 2,620,163

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $16,952,230 $17,652,003

Homes First SocietyStatement of Operations

2015 2014

REVENUESGovernment Funding - City of Toronto 7,139,350 6,689,081

Revenues from Tenants 1,155,514 1,096,608

Government Funding - MOHLTC 346,294 346,294

CAMH High Support Funding 263,008 264,592

Donations 184,510 186,184

United Way 208,380 203,588

Amortization of deferred contributions related to property and equipment

185,420 185,420

Management Fees 116,089 116,089

Non-Rental Income 51,291 54,834

Other 75,198 3,041

TOTAL REVENUE 9,725,054 9,145,731

EXPENSESAdministration & Program Expenses 4,609,936 4,614,485

Maintenance Expenses 2,058,030 1,712,935

Mortgage Principal & Interest 1,411,558 1,444,306

Utility costs 687,264 637,958

Allocation to Restricted Reserve Funds 363,297 171,240

Property Taxes 293,540 279,093

Amortization 185,420 185,420

Insurance & Bad Debts 114,210 95,234

TOTAL EXPENSES 9,723,255 9,140,671

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues over Expenditures

1,799 5,060

Administration & Program Expenses 47%

Maintenance Expenses 21%

Mortgage Principal & Interest 15%

Utility costs 7%

Allocation to Restricted Reserve Funds 4%

Property Taxes 3%

Amortization 2%

Insurance & Bad Debts 1%Whe

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90 Shuter St. 2nd FloorToronto, ON M5B 2K6info@homesfirst.on.ca

homesfirst.on.ca @homes_first HomesFirstTO

Charitable Registration # 86584 3932 RR0001

Toronto Central Local HealthIntegra�on Network

Funding support by: