Youth Shelter, Housing & Support
The YMCA of Greater Toronto operates an emergency shelter and drop-in centre for youth experiencing homelessness, as well as one of the first transitional housing programs in Canada for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.
To learn more about the urgent need for these services, and the impact you can make by donating, visit our Youth Shelter page.
For more information on staying at our shelter, visiting the drop-in centre, or joining the transitional housing program, keep reading!
Housing, shelter and total support
The YMCA has been providing housing and shelter for at-risk youth for decades. Whether it's family problems, trouble with the law, or just being locked out of the house, we’ll help you stay warm and safe, and get you the help that you need.
The YMCA is here to help
- YMCA Sprott House provides residential living for up to 25 young people between the ages of 16 to 24.
- The Wagner Green YMCA (formerly Vanauley Street YMCA) supports homeless and at-risk youth, and is a fully accessible facility.
- Last year, the Wagner Green YMCA saw 2,242 visits at its drop-in centre and 500 youth staying at its emergency shelter.
Wagner Green YMCA
• 7 Vanauley St., Toronto, M5V 2A8
• Our shelter has 40 beds and we provide harm-reduction and trauma-informed residential services to at-risk homeless young men, ages 16–24
• Gender is self-identified, and The Wagner Green YMCA (formerly Vanauley Street YMCA) is a trans-positive space
• The Wagner Green YMCA also provides housing supports to enable youth to secure and maintain permanent, affordable accommodation
• Staff provide support for youth to make positive changes under challenging circumstances
• Contact us: We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and our services are free. If you or a friend needs some help, you can call us at 416-504-9700
• Location and directions to The Wagner Green YMCA
• The drop-in program operates with several community partners to offer services to homeless, and street-involved youth ages 16–24
• The goal of the drop-in is to provide a safe place where street youth can rebuild their trust in people and find services that can help them. These services include medical, mental health, employment, housing support and legal services
• Our Streets to Home program conducts street outreach to youth between the ages of 16–24 living in rough situations in the Trinity/Spadina and surrounding area
Units for Youth
• Operates to support youth into permanent housing with a rent supplement support
• Provides housing stabilization and case management
• Serves youth aged 16-24, 30% of the projects 34 rental supplements are reserved for youth within the 2SLGBTQ+communities
You Got This
• In partnership with Eva’s Initiatives, this program operates to deliver mobile follow up support to young people leaving the shelter system
• Fosters independent living skills, community integration, and resource building for housing stability
YMCA Sprott House
Applications are currently OPEN. Apply here.
• YMCA Sprott House first opened its doors in September 2007 and is one of the first 2SLGBTQIA+ transitional housing programs for youth in Canada
• YMCA Sprott House provides one year of supported residential living for up to 25 young people between the ages of 16 to 24
• Eligibility is determined through an application and interview process and participants are expected to participate in house activities as well as work with a Case Manager towards self-determined goals.
• For specific inquiries or to be added to our distribution list, please email: sprott@ymcagta.org
• For more information about YMCA Sprott House, please call 647-438-8383
• Thanks to everyone offering their support to YMCA Sprott House. If you want to learn more about how you can help, please contact YMCA Sprott House directly at giving@ymcagta.org or donate now