Emergency: 911 Suicide crisis: call or text 988 Find shelter & services: 211 Using alone? Overdose line: 1-888-688-6677
HOMELESSCANADA

You deserve safety, care and a home. Here is how to get there.

A free, plain-language guide for people in Canada who are homeless or about to lose their housing, with a focus on people living with a disability, alcoholism or drug addiction. No judgment. No sign-up. Nothing to buy. Just what works, with extra detail and a directory of services for British Columbia.

I need somewhere to sleep tonightShelters, drop-ins, warming centres Someone is overdosingWhat to do, step by step I want to cut down or stop drinkingDo it safely, withdrawal can be dangerous I want help with drugsHarm reduction, detox, treatment I have a disabilityBenefits, supports, your rights I lost my IDHow to get it back, in order Find help in BCSearchable directory by area and need Apply for PWD in BCDisability assistance, step by step

Need help right now?

911Emergency: someone is hurt, overdosing, or in danger 988Thinking about suicide or in crisis. Call or text, 24/7 211Shelter, food, detox and services near you, 24/7 1-888-688-6677Using alone? Someone stays on the line and sends help if needed

Explore the guide

Start here

Shelter & survival

Find a bed tonight, low-barrier shelters that accept people who drink or use, staying safe in cold and heat, and free food, showers and laundry.

 Addiction

Alcohol & drugs

Responding to an overdose, free naloxone, harm reduction, stopping drinking safely, detox, opioid agonist treatment and peer support.

 Disability

Disability & health

Disability income in your province, federal disability benefits, asking for accommodation, mental health support and health care without an address.

 Paperwork

Money & ID

Income assistance, free tax filing that unlocks benefits, your right to a bank account, and replacing lost or stolen ID in the right order.

 The goal

Housing & rights

Housing First, getting on the coordinated access list, supportive housing, keeping your place, and your rights with shelters, police and landlords.

 British Columbia

BC directory

BC phone lines and programs, PWD disability assistance, BC Housing, and a searchable directory of 48 places to go for help across the province.

 Who we help

Groups & families

Support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, veterans, youth, 2SLGBTQ+ people, newcomers, people leaving jail, and families and friends.

 Save these

Crisis lines

Every free national help line in one list, from suicide crisis and overdose response to veterans, youth and human trafficking.

Who this guide is for

Homeless Canada focuses on the people most likely to fall through the cracks: people who are homeless and living with a disability, alcoholism or drug addiction. They're the people who get turned away from shelters, stuck on waitlists, and die of things that could have been prevented.

Everything here is written in plain language, works on any phone, and can be printed to keep in your bag. You don't have to be sober, "ready", or have ID to use it.

About us

You don't have to be soberto get into a low-barrier shelter, Housing First program or harm reduction service.
Calling 911 for an overdoseis protected under the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act.
Stopping heavy drinking or benzos suddenlycan cause fatal seizures. Get medical help to withdraw safely.
Addiction is generally a disabilityunder Canadian human rights law, so you can't be discriminated against because of it.

Help us keep this guide accurate

Know a service we should list, or spotted something out of date? Want to volunteer or partner with us? Email info@homelesscanada.ca.