Student Housing
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OCAD U works with several housing service providers, including independent student residences, co-op options and community organizations. We work in collaboration with these partners to provide opportunities to connect with potential OCAD U roommates, learn about your rights and responsibilities, and provide resources to help you with your housing search within the Greater Toronto Area. To view presentations and learn more about OCAD U housing partners click here.
ISC SUPPORTS
Are you moving to Toronto or living outside of the city? If you would like assistance with locating a housing coordinator or resources in your area, please contact us at isc@ocadu.ca
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Indigenous Housing Supports in Toronto
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Campus Cooperative Residences
Located in the heart of Toronto, we are Canada's oldest student housing co-operative, providing affordable, off-campus accommodation for post-secondary students. CCRI has been a home for generations of students pursuing post-secondary education in Toronto and holds a number of units for Indigenous students. If you are looking for community-focused student accommodations in Toronto, we welcome you to join CCRI! Click here to learn more and apply!
Native Youth Resource Centre
The NYRC supports Indigenous community members aged 16-29 with housing advocacy, viewings, first/last month’s rent supports, acquiring furniture, tenants’ rights and more! To view their presentation from the Virtual Housing Info Fair, click here!
Contact: Sherry Clemens (housing advocate) sclemens@nativechild.org
NYRC Drop-in at 655 Bloor St. West, or phone 416-969-8510, Ext. 4119
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
Indigenous community members aged 25+ can receive support with housing, holistic wellness, service navigation and financial support. Click here to learn more!
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Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre
Indigenous community members of all ages can receive support with housing by contacting Starr Dedam (housing worker) at 439 Dundas St. East, email housing@councilfire.ca, or call 416-360-4350, Ext. 280
Wigwamen
Wigwamen is a non-profit and charitable organization and Ontario’s oldest and largest urban Indigenous housing provider. Managing several apartment buildings in Toronto and Scarborough, Wigwamen is committed to providing decent, safe and affordable housing to thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous families, singles and seniors.
Indigenous Supportive Housing Program
The Indigenous Supportive Housing Program offers monthly rental subsidies (when funding is available) to make housing affordable for community members dealing with mental health and/or addictions issues. ISHP also assists community members in obtaining subsidies from other sources and can help with first and last month’s rent. Additionally, they provide eviction prevention supports that include assistance with rent and utilities arrears. ISHP works closely with landlords and tenants and can help with the purchase of beds and some emergency furnishings as well as referrals to the Furniture Bank. They also assist with moving and help to stabilize families and single men and women in new housing.
For more information, contact Anishnawbe Health's is 425 Cherry Street (on Cherry Street between Mill Street and Front Street), or phone 416-360-0486 to request services and establish eligibility.
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Making Toronto your home
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O-DAYS!: ORIENTATION
Every year the Campus Life office plans a variety of activities, workshops and socials to welcome new students to OCAD University!
CONNECTING WITH INDIGENOUS OCAD U
Join the Indigenous Student Association!
The Indigenous Student Association (ISA) is a self-governing collective of Indigenous students at OCAD U who organize to nurture community and to support each other. We run community events and activities, and are the main student group dedicated to bettering Indigenous students’ experiences at OCAD U. We are autonomous from the Indigenous Visual Culture Program, the Indigenous Student Centre and the Student Union. Our goals year to year may change, but we remain grounded in our dedication to community and safer spaces for Indigenous students to learn, create and thrive. Email us at indigenousstudentgroup@gmail.com
Work in the Indigenous Student Centre!
The Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) hires student monitors every year to support with the day-to-day operations of the ISC and our programming. The objective of the Institutional Work-Study Plan (IWSP) is to help students in financial need to meet their educational costs by working part-time during the study year. To learn more email isc@ocadu.ca.
TKARONTO: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PORTAL
Whether you are returning or new to the city, there are Indigenous services, events and programs available to the Indigenous community. Explore Indigenous Toronto through the Tkaronto: Indigenous Peoples Portal, a centralized search engine for all things Indigenous in the city!
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What if I need to go home?
Whether Indigenous students are travelling during the holidays, summer break, or just need to go home, the ISC is happy to support Indigenous students in acquiring accessible and safe transportation to travel to their communities at any point during the year.
he Ontario Indigenous Travel Grant can assist you with the cost of travelling between your remote First Nations community and the postsecondary school you are attending. If your spouse or dependent children will be living with you while you are in postsecondary studies, their travel costs can also be considered through this grant. To learn more about eligibility click here!
Wigwamen is a non-profit and charitable organization and Ontario’s oldest and largest urban Indigenous housing provider. Managing several apartment buildings in Toronto and Scarborough, Wigwamen is committed to providing decent, safe and affordable housing to thousands of Indigenous and non-Indigenous families, singles and seniors.
Indigenous students living in the GTA can acquire additional financial support with materials, transportation, books and tuition expenses not covered by OSAP or band funding. Full-time post-secondary students can receive up to $1,500 and part-time students are eligible for up to $750. Click here to apply!
Emergency bursaries are intended to provide short-term assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties beyond their control. These bursaries are one-time emergency solutions not meant to assist students on an ongoing basis. To apply, click here!
Indigenous bursaries can help students with short-term costs to support students’ access and success. Examples of short-term support could include: local transportation costs, art supplies/materials/books, immediate food/living costs, a return trip to a home community, etc. Students can apply as required, depending on their circumstances. Indigenous bursaries are funded through OCAD U’s Tuition Set-Aside Fund. Applications are considered on a weekly basis by the Indigenous Student Centre and the Financial Aid & Awards office. Results will be communicated to the student by the Financial Aid & Awards office. To apply click here!
Project Going Home assists families, youth and adults aged 16 and up currently residing in Toronto with travelling to their community or country of origin. The process takes 1-3 business days in Canada and 2-6 for International Travel. Travel is one-way and non-refundable, if someone is not eligible, referrals to other organizations will be made.
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Community Supports
If you would like support locating or accessing specific Indigenous support services off-campus you can contact the ISC team at any time! See our contact information to connect with us!
TASSC is the leading not-for-profit advocacy organization that addresses the socio-economic prospects and cultural well-being of Indigenous people living in the City of Toronto. TASSC is comprised of several Indigenous member organizations within Toronto, providing a comprehensive overview of supports and opportunities for Indigenous people within the city. TASSC operates the Indigenous Peoples Portal where you can search by support service or organization.
The OFIFC represents the collective interests of 29 Friendship Centres in cities and towns across the province. Friendship Centres are places for community members and Indigenous people living in urban spaces to gather, connect with one another and receive culturally based services.
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LEGAL RESOURCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Aboriginal Legal Services (formerly Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto) was established to strengthen the capacity of the Indigenous community and its citizens to deal with justice issues and provide Indigenous controlled and culturally based justice alternatives. The Legal Clinic serves people in a variety of areas including housing, ODSP/OW, Indian Act matters, Canada Pension Plan, police complaints, criminal injuries compensation and human rights. Referrals to lawyers for matters including criminal and family law can be arranged.
The HRLSC provides legal advice and assistance to individuals who have experienced discrimination in communities across Ontario. The HRLSC recognizes the particular history and disadvantage of Ontario’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. The HRLSC has established an Indigenous Services and Outreach Committee and has implemented culturally appropriate service guidelines in order to increase usage of the human rights system by Indigenous peoples.
The HRLSC can help you:
- Resolve a dispute involving your rights under the Human Rights Code
- File an application to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario
- Take your application to mediation or a hearing at the Tribunal
- Enforce an Order of the Tribunal if the Tribunal finds that you have experienced discrimination
The Indigenous Services Team can be reached by calling the HRLSC and following the prompts. The HRLSC is committed to providing Indigenous people with accessible legal services. Services are provided in 140 languages including Cree, Oji-Cree, Mohawk and Ojibway. Phone (416) 597-4900 or toll free 1-866-625-5179.
Free over-the-phone and video-based general summary advice on a full range of legal issues. Advice includes but is not limited to:
- administrative law (ODSP, human rights)
- family law
- employment law
- mental health law
- issues with the police
- debt issues
- form and legal documentation review
Contact us by email at LegalClinic@The519.org or call 416-392-6874.
The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit works proactively to improve access to policing services for Indigenous community members in Toronto. Over the years, members of the unit have established a rapport with the community and a two-way educational process by which the community learns about policing services and officers become better informed on Indigenous customs, traditions, values, historic events and modes of behaviour. The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit combines aspects of traditional peacekeeping with community policing. The unit ensures that lines of open communications are established and maintained.
The Aboriginal Peacekeeping Unit can be contacted at any of the following:
Emergency: Call 911
Non-Emergency Phone: 416-808-7046
Indigenous Justice Workers support First Nation, Inuit and Métis individuals who are in conflict with the law with support, advocacy and culturally based supports and healing. Indigenous individuals over the age of 29 can reach a Justice Worker through Aboriginal Legal Services. Indigenous individuals between the ages of 16-29 can access a Youth Justice Worker by contacting the Native Youth Resource Centre at 416-969-8510, Ext. 4119.
Mbuso (“Muso”) Nkosi is a sole practitioner who specializes in civil litigation, immigration law, family law and income support appeals. He earned his law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He provides free legal advice to all OCAD U students on various matters including tenancy issues, small claims, contract disputes, immigration, criminal charges, employment issues and family law. He can also prepare and review legal documents (such as affidavits and powers of attorney), notarize or commission documents, and make notarized true copies. If the Student Union Lawyer cannot assist you with your matter, they can usually refer you to a local lawyer for a reduced fee. Court or tribunal representation is generally not provided, except under very exceptional circumstances. The Student Union lawyer also cannot assist in matters involving another student (student vs. student). They can, however, mediate student disputes where both students agree to mediation and meet with the Student Union lawyer together.
How to Book: If you’d like to meet with Mbuso, please send an email to advocate@ocadsu.org to arrange an appointment. The Student Union lawyer is usually available on Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.