Families First
Priorité aux familles
Fresh Start + New Beginnings
A referral-based Housing-First program, providing community-based support to families leaving the shelter system and moving into permanent housing.
About Families First
Families First has been supporting Ottawa families since 2011.
As part of Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, we provide comprehensive case management and connect families to vital community resources.
Our specialized team includes Housing-First Case Managers, Child & Youth Liaisons, Domestic Violence Survivor Liaisons, Multicultural Liaisons, and Wellness & Resiliency specialists.
We serve families for up to nine months, ensuring stable housing and successful community integration.
99.3%
*
Housing Retention Rate
3,341
*
Families Helped
14
*
Years of Service
*data as of January 2025
How We Help
Our experienced case managers work one-on-one with families for up to nine months, providing personalized support and connections to community resources.
We meet families where they are and help them build the foundation for long-term housing stability. Whether you need help navigating housing applications, connecting your children to school programs, or accessing mental health services, our specialized team is here to guide you through every step of your journey.
We help with:
Resources
Help families find resources
Goal Planning
Work with the family to create a goal plan to meet their needs
Home Visits
Provide support in a comfortable location such as a family’s home
Community Connections
Connect families to services such as recreation, healthcare, employment and education.
Referrals
Provide referrals for practical supports such as furniture, food, clothing, etc.
Preferred Languages
Services are offered in the family’s language of choice
Who We Serve
If a family is in Ottawa and leaving the shelter, we provide support moving into their own homes.
We receive referrals from shelter caseworkers and provide support to families transitioning from shelters to permanent housing.
Program Length: Up to 9 months of comprehensive support
Serving: All 27800 km² of Ottawa
Served by: Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre
For More Information
Our specialized team is here to help you every step of the way.
📞: (613) 286-9278
✉️: familiesfirst@pqchc.com
📍: 1365 Richmond Rd., Ottawa
🕒: Monday—Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Community Resources
Find the support your family needs.
Browse by category below to access our database of Ottawa community resources. Each category contains verified information including contact details, eligibility requirements, and service descriptions.
Click the categories below to see the list of resources available:
“The program was good and helpful. I didn’t want my file to close as I wanted more than 9 months. But I am so appreciative of the 9 months I had. I reached all my goals. I got awesome support from my case worker. She was so nice to me and very friendly and very hard worker.“
"Our case manager was like a family member. It gave me a sense of belonging to a community and raised my self esteem."
“My case worker gave me lots of support and information about programs for myself and my son. This helped us feel connected and helped my son make friends. It was great that this was offered without any thing in return it is a very needed service for people like me.“