Board of Directors - Volunteer

About Us

EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO HOUSING AND HEALTHCARE.

Support House is a community-based non-profit with more than 42 years of experience delivering supportive housing, healthcare access, peer support, and outreach across Halton Region. We design person-directed, inclusive services for individuals facing complex mental health, substance use, housing, and health access concerns.

Housing: We offer a full range of supportive housing options for people unhoused with mental health and/or substance use concerns – from highly-intensive, staff-supported residences to community supports through rent subsidies with private landlords. The staff team supports multiple needs and assists in connecting with additional supports in the community such as our interdisciplinary health team. We support individuals to transition to more independent housing.

Health Care: We provide primary health care through our Community Health Centre Mobile Health Team to people with complex health concerns and are unattached to primary care or encounter barriers in accessing appropriate health care support. Our team consists of a Family Physician, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurse, Social Worker/MSW, and Peer Support Worker to focus on all the pieces that impact people’s health and wellness.

Support Coordination: We provide a menu of supports that responds to the needs of youth aged 16-24 and adults who experience mental and/or substance use issues in Halton. We offer support coordination, housing, peer support, harm reduction and trauma informed care with a DEI lens, navigation, and distress/crisis support.

Peer Support: The Centre for Innovation in Peer Support provides community and system capacity through offering accessible peer services and enhancing peer service capacity through training and mentorship for peers.

Housing Development: We have two significant housing redevelopment projects currently underway with the Region of Halton:

• Maria Street, Acton – a $8.7M 12 one-bedroom accessible apartment units supportive housing model (January 2026)
• Cornwall Road, Oakville – a $20M 5-storey 37 unit supportive housing apartment building including in the Region of Halton’s 10 year Housing Strategy.

About the Opportunity

The Support House Board of Directors is composed of volunteers who work and/or live in Halton and surrounding communities. The Board is responsible for effective governance and leadership for the organization.

This role is a three-year term, with the option of renewal for an additional three years. The role requires approximately 60–70 hours per year, including monthly Board meetings and participation on at least one standing committee. Meetings take place monthly on the last Monday of the month, in the evening, either at the Oakville office or virtually.

As part of the appointment process, successful candidates will be required to complete a criminal reference check. Results will be reviewed in a balanced and confidential manner, and will not automatically disqualify a candidate unless they present an unmanageable risk to the organization, its clients, or its operations.

Priority Skills and Experience Sought

At this time, Support House is seeking new Board members with demonstrated board-level experience whose expertise complements the existing Board and supports the organization’s long-term sustainability and growth. All candidates must bring prior experience serving on a board of directors (non-profit, public, or private). Within that context, we are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

1. Community-Based Primary Care and CHC Systems

Senior-level experience within Community Health Centres, primary care networks, Ontario Health, or Ontario Health Teams. Candidates bring an understanding of integrated care models, system accountability, quality, and performance oversight.

2. Supportive Housing Development and Capital Projects

Experience in supportive or affordable housing development, capital planning and financing, infrastructure projects, or real estate development in the public or non-profit sector. Familiarity with long-term asset management and sustainability is highly valued.

3. Board Governance, Legal, and Risk

Strong governance experience, including fiduciary responsibility, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Candidates with prior Board Chair or Officer experience, or an interest in Board Chair succession and governance leadership, are encouraged to apply.

Equity and Inclusion

Support House is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from individuals from Indigenous and racialized communities, and those with lived or living experience relevant to our work.