TCHC and the West Toronto Ontario Health Team join forces to bring critical services home to tenants

Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and the West Toronto Ontario Health Team have partnered to bring wraparound community support and services to two TCHC communities. New iHelp centres bring together critical health care services for TCHC tenants and area residents with onsite staff and programming, operating out of a dedicated space within TCHC buildings.

Two pilot locations were launched this summer at 1901 Weston Road and 100 High Park Avenue following community engagement. That engagement allowed TCHC and the West Toronto Ontario Health Team to better understand local needs and identify gaps in services not available to tenants and residents nearby. Mental health and addiction, primary care, and healthy aging are the key focus areas of these two locations, delivering on the requests from the community. 

“We know tenants have better overall health outcomes and improved quality of life when they have the right supports in place,” said Sean Baird, TCHC President and CEO. “With iHelp, tenants have access to a continuum of services and help in navigating a healthcare system that can sometimes feel overwhelming. These efforts will enhance the overall safety and well-being of our communities.”

Rooted in community-specific engagement, the iHelp centres at 1901 Weston Road and 100 High Park Avenue operate five days a week with onsite health care workers focused on addressing individual and building-specific needs. Services range from referrals and connections to key health care services (like dental care), assistance with completing forms or applications for support, and onsite services and programming delivered by peers or within group settings. 

“A lot of times, people don’t know where to begin to access care and services,” said Kashtin Fitzsimons, Director of the West Toronto Ontario Health Team. “Our onsite staff at iHelp are a safe starting point as dependable resources for TCHC tenants and area residents. They can get assistance with immediate and longer-term health needs. That means accessing primary care, getting connected to support services – like a wound care nurse – or building a plan to achieve their health and wellness goals.”
 
The iHelp centres at 1901 Weston Road and 100 High Park Avenue benefit from staff members who collectively speak five languages – reflecting the diversity of the communities. They are assisted by a variety of health care partners, including: 
•    Progress Place/Community Place Hub (case workers; navigation), 
•    VHA Home Healthcare (social worker), 
•    LAMP Community Health Centre (onsite preventive health workers; nurse practitioner), 
•    Dorothy Ley Hospice (grief and bereavement services; holistic body therapy), and
•    Communiticare Health (case workers; navigation – 100 High Park Avenue only). 

“The iHelp centres are connecting people with much-needed health care services and support,” said Frances Nunziata, Toronto City Councillor for York South-Weston. “I’m grateful to everyone involved in this pilot at 1901 Weston Road. You’ve thoughtfully listened to residents and created something impactful. Everyone will benefit from iHelp as we collectively work together to build welcoming, safe, and healthy neighbourhoods.”

TCHC and the West Toronto Ontario Health Team will expand iHelp offerings and services at these two locations over the next few months. Staff will also continue to engage with tenants and area residents to monitor outcomes to make sure ongoing and evolving needs are met. In 2025, TCHC will explore new locations for iHelp centres, with the goal of partnering with additional community organizations to bring new services home to tenants across the city. 

Members of TCHC’s Community Safety and Support teams, who work daily to identify and partner with community agencies and organizations to grow wraparound support for tenants, are responsible for the new innovative iHelp concept. Moving forward, iHelp centres will offer a wide range of integrated services for tenants, including: active living, mental health and well-being, employment, health care, and education.  

TCHC has a long and successful history of partnering with social services and community agencies, offering access to critical supports for tenants. In 2023, TCHC joined forces with more than 120 different community partners. The unique nature of iHelp only strengthens TCHC’s model of supporting tenants. 

The West Toronto Ontario Health Team is funded by the Ontario government and is part of a provincial initiative dedicated to building a connected healthcare system. The West Toronto Ontario Health Team is a group of 38 organizations that joined together to deliver improved and seamless healthcare experiences for those needing care.