Crisis Shelter & Fleeing-Abuse Referral — Assaulted Women's Helpline + 211
If you need to leave an abusive situation right now, you can get help today. Call the Assaulted Women's Helpline at 1-866-863-0511 any time, day or night. It is free, you don't have to give your name, and they help you make a safety plan and find a shelter. You can also call 211 to find shelters and crisis services near you.
What you get
Free local help
Who it's for
Anyone who is being abused or is afraid for their safety.
This takes you to the official website
What to have ready
Documents they may ask for
- Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
- A copy of your lease or rent agreement
- Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
- Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
- ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
- Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it
What to say when you call
“Hi, I am looking for housing help. Can you tell me if this program fits my situation, what documents I need, and whether there is anyone who can help me apply?”
If no one answers, leave your name and number slowly, then try 211 while you wait.
Can I get this?
You have a good chance if this sounds like you:
- Anyone who is being abused or is afraid for their safety
- There is no form, no income test, and no paperwork to call
- If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first
What to do next
Check off each step as you go — we'll remember where you are.
Checkmarks are saved only on this device. We collect nothing.
The fine print
More details about the money
No cash benefit. Free, anonymous, confidential 24/7 telephone, TTY and online-chat crisis support, plus warm referrals to emergency shelters, transition/second-stage housing, and other violence-against-women services. Emergency VAW shelters reached through these referrals are themselves free to enter.
Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.
The full eligibility rules
Anyone experiencing or at risk of any form of abuse who needs crisis support or emergency/transitional shelter. The Assaulted Women's Helpline serves women across Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse; 211 serves the general public seeking shelter and community services. No income test, no application, no documentation required to call.
Good to know
VERIFIED 2026-06-11 against official sources actually read: (1) Assaulted Women's Helpline 'Our Services' (https://www.awhl.org/our-services) and 'Contact Us' (https://www.awhl.org/contact-us) — confirm 1-866-863-0511 is the free, anonymous, confidential 24/7 crisis line providing crisis counselling, safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals; GTA 416-863-0511, TTY 1-866-863-7868, plus Fem'Aide 1-877-336-2433 (French) and Talk 4 Healing 1-888-200-9997 (Indigenous). (2) 211 Ontario 'Shelter for abused women' topic (https://211ontario.ca/211-topics/abuse-assault/shelter-for-abused-women/) — confirms 211 lists/refers VAW shelters, transition/second-stage housing and crisis lines and itself references the Assaulted Women's Helpline 1-866-863-0511. This pairs the LIVE crisis pathway with the SPP social-housing pathway to close panel must-fix #5; the prior only DV entry (ontario-portable-housing-benefit-special-priority) was defunct and told survivors 'do not apply'.
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