Homelessness

Homelessness

In Ontario, and Lanark County, homelessness is defined as “a situation in which an individual or family is without permanent, appropriate housing or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it.” This can look like many things. It could mean staying in a makeshift shelter (such as an encampment or a vehicle) or no shelter at all. It could be an emergency shelter or temporary accommodation, such as couch surfing with friends of family. It could be someone leaving a provincial institution, such as a correctional facility, hospital or the child welfare system, with nowhere to go.

Emergencies

Lanark County administers the short‑term Emergency Shelter Benefit through the Housing Assistance Program (HAP). This program supports individuals who are recently homeless, victims of domestic violence, impacted by an apartment fire, or experiencing another similar emergency.

For more information on the short-term Emergency Shelter Benefit, please call 613-267-4200, extension 2140, or toll-free at 1-888-9-LANARK.

For additional resources, please refer to the Lanark County Community Resource Manual.

After-Hours Homelessness Response
Lanark County Victim Services provides after‑hours support to individuals and families who are homeless and in need of emergency social services. Services are based on the needs identified and may include assistance with securing emergency accommodations for the night, food, and transportation to those accommodations.

Individuals and families in need who are located within Lanark County may call 613‑206‑1486 Monday to Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., and 24 hours per day on weekends and holidays, to access this service.

During office hours, please contact the Lanark County Social Services directly for assistance with homelessness emergencies at 613‑267‑4200, extension 2140.

Outreach
One way you can help support individuals who are unhoused in Lanark County is by reporting encampments.

To report an encampment, please contact the Lanark County Homelessness Response Team Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at 613‑267‑4200, extension 2140, or toll-free at 1-888-9-LANARK.

Keeping Cool in Hot Weather

Summer heat can be dangerous when you don’t have a cool place to go. These posters share simple ways to stay safe, hydrated, and cool during extreme heat, along with local spots where you can take a break from the sun.

Extreme Heat Poster

Beat The Heat Poster

By-Name List (BNL)

A By‑Name List (BNL) is a real‑time list of people experiencing homelessness in our community. It includes a robust set of data points that support coordinated access and prioritization at a household level, and an understanding of homeless inflow and outflow at a system level. This real-time actionable data supports triage to services, system performance evaluation, and advocacy.

Please see the dashboards below for the most up‑to‑date By‑Name List data.

What is a By-Name List used for?
Community Level (non-identifying information)

  • Tracks how many people are becoming homeless, moving into housing, and experiencing changes in real time.
  • Measures progress toward the goal of reducing homelessness.
  • Provides concrete evidence to identify which services are most needed to meet community needs.

 

Individual Level (confidential identifiable information)

  • Shares client information between service providers to reduce duplication of work and prevent individuals from having to repeat the same information multiple times.
  • Prioritizes clients based on vulnerability and need.

Housing Resources Available to Participants of the By-Name List

  • By‑Name List Short-Term Rent Subsidy (designed to bridge the time between securing market rent and obtaining an RGI unit or COHB/PHB rent subsidy).
  • Priority Access to Adult Supportive Housing placements
  • Mental Health Housing-Based Case Management
  • Harm Reduction Supports
  • Access to transitional housing units at Bridge House (9 Armstrong Dr., Smiths Falls, ON)
  • Additional access to Housing Assistance Funds (HAP) funding to help secure sustainable and affordable housing opportunities.
  • Youth Homelessness Supports (provided through Cornerstone Landing Youth Services).

All services listed above are dedicated to individuals on the By‑Name List who are actively experiencing homelessness in Lanark County.

How to Be Added to the By‑Name List
If you are currently experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness and would like to be added to the local By‑Name List, please complete the BNL Intake Form. Once completed, the form can be emailed to BNL@lanarkcounty.ca or dropped off at any of our Social Services offices.

For more information, please contact Valerie Hogan, BNL Admin Lead, at 613‑267‑4200, extension 2117.

The Committee and Access Partners
The following partner organizations contribute participants to the By‑Name List and/or receive matched referrals as housing resources:

  • Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Cornerstone Landing Youth Services
  • Lanark County Interval House
  • Lanark County Mental Health
  • Lanark County Social Services
  • Lanark Leeds & Grenville Addictions & Mental Health
  • Ontario Provincial Police – Lanark County Detachment
  • Victim Services – Lanark County

Historical BNL Dashboards

2025

Adult Supportive Housing (ASH)

The Homeless Response Team (HRT) works closely with several privately operated, permanent residences that support individuals who require additional assistance and need Adult Supportive Housing (ASH).

Who is Eligible?
This program is designed for individuals who need a little extra help with daily living.

 

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Medical or financial need
  • Income below $1,978 per month
  • Assets under $5,000

Cost (board and lodge included):

  • $59/day (maximum $1,829/month)
  • Residents in Adult Supportive Housing are expected to contribute their full monthly income toward the per‑diem cost. If they cannot afford the full amount, Lanark County will provide a subsidy to cover the difference.
  • To ensure residents have enough for basic personal needs, the County also provides a Personal Needs Allowance so that each resident has at least $149 remaining each month.

How do I Apply?
Please complete the Adult Supportive Housing Application. Once completed, the form can be emailed to ASH@lanarkcounty.ca or dropped off at any of our Social Services offices.

Contact us at ASH@lanarkcounty.ca or 613-267-4200, extension 2140 to complete an intake and review.

Adult Supportive Housing Providers

  • Victoria House, Smiths Falls
  • Rideau Ferry Country Home, Drummond North Elmsley
  • Shardon Manor, Montague
  • Paradise Valley, Carleton Place

Lanark Integrated Frontline Team (LIFT)

Lanark Integrated Frontline Team (LIFT) is a mobile clinic supporting people across Lanark County with health care, harm reduction supplies, overdose prevention, and housing support.

Health Care (Mobile Clinic)
LIFT’s mobile clinic includes a nurse practitioner and a community paramedic, offering:

  • Health assessments
  • Wound care
  • Medication support
  • Referrals

Harm Reduction
LIFT supports people in making informed choices and staying safe by offering:

  • Safer use gear
  • Naloxone kits
  • Drug test strips
  • Education on overdose prevention and substance use safety

Overdose Prevention
LIFT provides bystander training and overdose response education to individuals, families, and service providers.
Housing Support
LIFT supports individuals in navigating systems like ODSP, the By‑Name List, and local housing services. LIFT also works closely with Lanark County to help people access stable and supportive housing options.
How does LIFT work?
LIFT meets people in the places they live and gather – including encampments, community spaces, food programs, and supportive housing.

  • No referral required
  • No requirement to stop using substances
  • Confidential and respectful care
  • Services are voluntary and non-coercive

LIFT’s goal is to build trust, reduce harm, and connect people to supports that match their goals.

Who is LIFT for?
Anyone in Lanark County who needs support related to:

  • Substance use
  • Health care
  • Housing or income
  • Overdose prevention

Priority is given to those who are underserved, isolated, or facing barriers to care.

How do you contact LIFT?

For more information, please visit the LIFT website.

Current Reports and Information

Yes In My Backyard
The Yes! In My Backyard (YIMBY) Campaign pairs Lanark County with many other local groups and organizations to prevent and address homelessness in our community. Learn more by watching this video, or by reading the following reports:

Winter Weather Response
The 2024-2025 Winter Weather Response is a homeless-centered plan for keeping people safe. Learn more by reading our Winter Weather Response Plan 2024-25.
10-Year Housing and Homelessness Plan
The Lanark County 10-Year Plan is a framework for improving access to safe and affordable housing for our residents. Learn more about our Housing and Homelessness Plan.