Reaching Home

hands reaching out to eachother

Deadline for submission: September 30, 2025.

Information Webinar: September 16, 11:00 am est. | Contact reachinghome@ofntsc.org to be added the the webinar.

Reaching Home is a community-based social program that provides funding to help prevent and reduce homelessness across Canada. The Ontario First Nations Reaching Home Initiative (OFNRHI) empowers First Nation communities by providing funding to help prevent and reduce homelessness by offering service delivery project aligned with First Nations needs. 

Focusing on social programming and delivery will assist in building the capacity of First Nation communities to support their own members in ways that are responsive and respectful. The program is open to all First Nations administrations and organizations

Capital costs are limited.

Only submissions from First Nations Administrations or First Nations Organizations will be considered.

Eligible activities and expenses:
Projects and sub-projects may take place on-reserve, off-reserve or in urban areas.

  • Transitional Housing Services
  • Homelessness Prevention and Housing Support Services
  • Client Support Services
  • Emotional, Physical, and Cultural Health Support
  • Support Services for Accessing Employment, Training, and Income Programs
  • Capital Investments with Limitations
  • Resource Coordination and Data Collection

Activities related to directly supporting permanent housing and/or subdivision developments or
the construction of housing are ineligible.

Examples of eligible programming: 

  • One-time emergency housing funding
  • Essential services related to emergency shelter - beds, food, laundry and shower facilities
  • Basic needs service
  • Life skills development
  • Supports to access traditional or culturally sensitive healing services
  • Assistance in accessing income benefits (Ontario Works, child benefits, disability benefits)
  • Food banks
  • Staff training geared toward homelessness
  • Renovations to existing temporary housing (e.g., homeless shelter, transitional home)

Deadline for work completion to be determined on a project-by-project basis

For more details, or to apply, contact reachinghome@ofntsc.org

Proposal Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions