UP-LIFTED

Where Newcomers Rise Together

We are a grassroots digital platform, created by newcomers for newcomers that helps people new to Toronto find housing, employment, and mental well-being.

Download OUR APP

(coming soon)

Newcomers in Toronto face structural barriers to housing and employment that affect their mental well-being and more.

UP-LIFTED bridges these gaps through a unified ecosystem linking access to affordable housing, employment pathways, and mental health support, enabling newcomers not just to survive, but to thrive.

Housing

Limited Supply: Vacancy for rental units is approximately 2.2%; social housing waitlists exceed 78,000 households, with waits of about 10 years [4].

Hidden Homelessness: Doubling-up and “bed rentals” (about $400 per month) are common coping strategies [4].

Discrimination: Landlords often require a Canadian guarantor or credit history, or refuse tenants on assistance; racialized women and single mothers face the steepest barriers [5].

Health Impact: Overcrowded, unsafe, and poor-quality housing (mold, pests, and inaccessibility) exacerbates stress and trauma [6].

UP-LIFTED Response: Building landlord and Corporate Social Responsibility partnerships for inclusive leases; tenant-rights education; short-term transitional units linked to employment and counseling.

Employment

Recent Newcomers: Jobless rate ≈11–12% vs. ~5% for Canadian-born residents (2006–2022) [7].

Underemployment: ~1 in 5 university-educated newcomers work in low-skill/entry-level roles; with a concentration in transportation, warehousing, and food services [7].

Gender Gap: Newcomer women earn ~40% less than men; caregiving and childcare responsibilities further limit participation [7].

Credential & Language Barriers: Nonrecognition of foreign credentials and limited English proficiency block mobility and limit earnings potential [8].

UP-LIFTED Response: Converting refugee talent into sustainable income by providing skill-matched placements with employers, offering subsidized upskilling, mentorship, and integrated language and career-development pathways.

Mental Health

High Distress: Elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among refugees, exacerbated by housing instability and unemployment [9].

Isolation: Long commutes, segregation, and cultural barriers limit social support networks and a sense of belonging [10].

Gendered Risk: Newcomer women, especially survivors of violence, face heightened psychological strain and experience gaps in culturally appropriate care [5].

UP-LIFTED Response: Embedding trauma-informed counseling and peer support within housing and employment services to strengthen resilience, community ties, and a sense of belonging.

6-10k

Homeless Refugees
in Toronto

46.6%

of Toronto population are NEWCOMERS

400k

NEWCOMERS in the last five years

40%

of Canada’s immigrants settle in
the Greater Toronto Area

References: [1] Statistics Canada (2024, updated). Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population: Toronto (CMA), Ontario. [2] Statistics Canada (2022). Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census—Toronto (CMA): Immigration, place of birth and citizenship. [3] City of Toronto (2025). Street Needs Assessment 2024 Results Report. [4] Walsh, C. et al. (2023). Can Canada become home without a house? Housing Studies. [5] Newcomer Women in the GTA (2018). Housing/employment barriers & discrimination. [6] Resettlement of Syrian Refugees in Canada (2020). Housing conditions & health effects. [7] Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (2023). Labour Market Outcomes of Immigrants in Ontario and Its Major Cities. [8] Ferrer, A., Picot, G., & Riddell, W. (2014). New Directions in Immigration Policy. [9] Baril, L., & Lindsay, N. (2021). In Search of a Home. [10] Papillon, M. (2019). Immigration, Diversity and Social Inclusion in Canada’s Cities.

UP-LIFTED’s mission is to empower newcomers in Toronto by providing integrated access to housing and employment, while fostering self-reliance, mental well-being, and economic inclusion.

Download OUR ONE-PAGER

OUR VALUES:

Equality

Ensuring equal access to opportunities and support for all.

Self-Empowerment

Fostering self-reliance, confidence, and personal agency.

Innovation

Designing flexible, community-driven solutions that respond to local needs.

Collaboration

Building strong partnerships with government, employers, and landlords.

If you or someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential, 24/7 help with human trafficking in Canada, contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010.