Homelessness DOES exist in St. Thomas & Elgin County
Many people picture the homeless as those living on the streets, in parks, in doorways and in other public places. But the “hidden homeless” are much less visible and struggling every day.
In 2021, Statistics Canada asked Canadian households if they had ever experienced some form of homelessness in their lifetime. Over one in ten (11.2%) Canadians or 1,690,000 people reported that they had.
DONATE TO OUR 2026 CAMPAIGN
In fact, during 2025, over 35% of those identified in our community as experiencing identify as women and gender diverse. YWCA Housing and Services directly support single women, gender-diverse, and women-led families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness with a tailored approach designed for the gendered experiences of housing instability and homelessness.
%
of those identified in our community as being un-housed identify as women or gender-diverse
Housing is simply not affordable
In 2024, the average market rent for a one-bedroom apartment in St. Thomas was $1,460. (CMHC-SCHL Primary Rental Market Statistics) The current maximum shelter allowance for an Ontario Works (social assistance) recipient is $390. For someone receiving ODSP, the maximum is $599. (Source: Income Security Advocacy Centre)
Average one-bedroom apartment in St. Thomas
When you contribute to YWCA’s Keep a Roof Campaign, you directly support residents at Tiny Hope and all other YWCA housing and poverty intervention programs
Our housing programs are called “supportive housing” because we provide more than a roof over the heads of women, men, youth, and women-led families. Our residents are linked to a network of services including those that give them the opportunity to develop a variety of life skills. We help them set goals, increase their employability, and become better able to contribute to their community and broader society.
Our Supportive Housing program includes our residences (Kains St Tiny Homes, Horizon House, Unity House, Harmony House, Fairwinds for Youth, several independent living apartments, YWCA Women’s Residence, and our Women-Led Family Transitional Home)
Your donation will go directly into our supportive housing and poverty intervention programs, helping to meet both immediate needs and long-term goals for the individuals and families we serve.
Funds may be used to purchase:
- New mattresses and bedding – ensuring residents have a safe and comfortable place to sleep
- Essential appliances – a new fridge or stove, which allow families to store and prepare healthy meals at home
- Basic furniture — a table where a family can eat together, a desk for someone returning to school, or a sofa for a youth to finally feel at home
- Hygiene supplies – allowing residents to live with dignity
- Non-perishable food – supporting food security needs
- Program materials – connecting residents through life skills and community
- Transportation – assisting residents to appointments
- Upkeep of shared spaces and improvements that make our housing more welcoming
Every dollar makes a direct impact — helping people not just survive but build a foundation for a better future.
How to Donate
Send an E-transfer to finance@ywcaste.ca (please include your full name, address and phone number within the notes of your transfer which will be used for your charitable tax receipt if $20 or more is donated. Sponsorship not eligible for tax receipts.)
By phone (519) 631-9800 or toll-free at 1-800-461-0954
By mailing a cheque payable to ‘YWCA St.Thomas-Elgin’ 16 Mary St. West, St. Thomas, ON, N5P 2S3
Online (up to $999) through our secure online donation system
Thank you to our generous community. With your contribution we raised
$84,812.47 during our 2025 Campaign!
Platinum+ ($20,000)
Duggie & Ted Gill
Platinum ($5,000 – $19,999)
Port Stanley
Gold ($3,000 – 4,999)
Silver ($2,000 – 2,999)
Debbie Hamilton & Associates Ltd
Bronze ($1,000 – 1,999)
Don and Hazel Williams Charitable Foundation
Elgin Contracting & Restoration
Elgin Floor Covering Ltd
Howick Mutal Insurance Company
Port Stanley
Donors
$500 – $999
Faith Church St.Thomas
Grace & Gerald Schipper
Impressions Printing
Judy & Bob Upsdell
Kelly Armstrong (K.L.A. Fricke Inc)
Kinsmen Club of St.Thomas
Leigh Graham-Loreto
Louis Beneteau
Meridian Good Neighbour Program
Royal Canadian Legion of Port Stanley – Branch #410
Saverio Rinaldi
Sharon Battley
Shedden Oddfellows
Springfield Swans
The Yarmouth Group Inc
University Women’s Club of St.Thomas
$250 – $499
Elizabeth Hess
Elizabeth Sebestyen
Janet & Daniel McKillop
Luyks Siemens Helder LLP
Mary Clacina Rutten
Matt Janes
Optimist Club of St.Thomas
Shawn Jackson Funeral Home
Sherene & Jeff Casey
Simply Pure Water
Williams Funeral Home
$50 – $249
Elizabeth Field
Janet & Michael Golding
Jeanne De Bretan
Kathryn Ferguson
Kathryn Fletcher
Lindsay & Dane Rice
Monica Smith