Advancing Inter-Sectoral Action on Harm Reduction and Anti-Racism in the Supportive Housing Growth Plan
The Toronto Supportive Housing Growth Plan (the Growth Plan) was co-convened by the Wellesley Institute, CMHA Toronto, the Toronto Mental Health and Addictions Supportive Housing Network (TMHASHN), and TAEH. It is a 10-year, intersectoral strategy to grow the supply of supportive housing in Toronto, improve access to supportive housing, and enhance care for clients through collaboration across sectors. It was collaboratively developed and signed onto by housing and supports organizations from across the health, housing, and disability and inclusion sectors, with ongoing involvement and support from other partners in government and health sectors.
The Advancing Inter-Sectoral Action project drove progress in the implementation on two priorities of the Growth Plan: harm reduction and anti-racism. Through strengthening partnerships between municipal partners, community organizations, housing providers and health providers, this work aims to enhance access to harm reduction services in housing settings and streamline the integration of leadership from organizations that are led by and serving racialized communities and people with lived experienced to co-design improvements to advance health equity.
This project was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, overseen by the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness, and delivered in collaborative partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, Toronto, and the Supportive Housing Growth Plan signatories.
Harm Reduction Policy Toolkit
This practical toolkit helps housing providers develop or strengthen harm reduction policies that support resident well-being, dignity, and autonomy.
Harm Reduction Services Directory
This list is not comprehensive, and the harm reduction landscape is continually evolving. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by TAEH or SHGP signatories; housing providers should contact organizations directly to confirm available services, and harm reduction providers are encouraged to share updates to keep the directory accurate.
Building Partnerships for Harm Reduction in Housing
This guide supports the development of strong and effective partnerships between housing providers and harm reduction service providers.
Advancing Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression in Supportive and Social Housing
This toolkit helps housing organizations embed anti-racism and anti-oppression (ARAO) principles across their policies, practices, and partnerships.
ARAO Service Providers
This list is not exhaustive but includes many ARAO-focused service providers in Toronto across housing, health, and community support sectors.
Addressing Stigma Toward People Who Use Drugs: Promising Practices for Social and Supportive Housing
Homelessness and housing precarity are increasing across Canada, driving greater demand for both ocial and supportive housing. Many tenants in these settings face overlapping challenges such as mental health concerns, chronic illness, and substance use. People who use drugs (PWUD) often experience stigma that undermines their ability to maintain housing, access supports, and participate fully in their communities. At the same time, stigma can fuel resistance to harm reduction services and create barriers for housing providers seeking to deliver effective, evidence-informed supports.
This literature review synthesizes current evidence on stigma toward PWUD in the context of social and supportive housing. It examines how stigma is defined and expressed at individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural levels, and explores the consequences for tenants’ health, well-being, and housing stability. It also reviews evidence-informed interventions and identifies promising practices from housing and community contexts that may help reduce stigma. This review is intended to inform housing providers, policymakers, and sector partners seeking to strengthen stigma reduction efforts and support more inclusive housing environments.