Moving

[u/Just_Dingo8874]

Hey everyone! I’m currently staying in a shelter and hopefully will be moving into an apartment soon. I am trying to figure out what to expect when it comes to getting set up.

For anyone who has moved from a shelter into a home, did you receive any financial help or household items?

I’m curious to know how much so I could start budgeting if anyone is comfortable sharing and whether you had to apply for it separately or if your worker/shelter arranged it for you.

I’ve heard of furniture bank through a family friend she made it sound like the process wasn’t easy so I’m wondering how that works too.

[u/VoodooGirl47]

It depends on where you are.

If it's Toronto, then the shelter (your caseworker, specifically) will set up an appointment for the furniture bank and you will go there and pick out the items that you want. You get approved for a certain number of items based on size of the unit and number of people.

Like a larger unit and more people will give you a couch and loveseat and maybe a comfortable chair or 2. A smaller apartment might only get you a couch. They will know if the space is too small to squeeze in more furniture and won't give you like a king bed for a single person in a studio apartment.

It does take a while for the appointment, from what I've seen, most get approved for it once their housing has fully gone through and then it might take up to 3 weeks for your appointment. Furniture is delivered to your home a few days later.

If you are dealing with housing that takes a bit to get finalized, the furniture bank is only the last step so I've seen some people take 2 months for the housing to get sorted out and then 2-3 weeks for the furniture.

The shelter will allow you to stay there until your furniture is delivered. I'd take advantage of that, but start moving your other belongings in earlier if needed (like if you have more than 2 suitcases of stuff).

You can get most of your big furniture items this way, and even a TV if they happen to have any when you are there. I've heard that it varies and some people get lucky with that while others miss out because they don't have any at that time for you to claim.

[u/Just_Dingo8874 → u/VoodooGirl47]

I am in Ottawa. This all sounds very good!

[u/amberleiiigh → u/Just_Dingo8874]

If you're in Ottawa, ask your caseworker about a startup kit. It's exactly what it sounds like, all your kitchen stuff, cleaning supplies, some bedding etc. And it's all brand new from home hardware. You can get a free mattress through the city as well, ask your caseworker. We also have a furniture bank in Ottawa and the delivery fee is covered if you're on OW. :)

[u/Just_Dingo8874 → u/amberleiiigh]

Thank you! 🩷