Care exists even without a family doctor
Toronto has providers whose entire purpose is care for people who are unhoused or precariously housed: Inner City Health Associates works on the street, in shelters, and in encampments; the Inner City Family Health Team provides team-based primary care for people impacted by homelessness; and community health centres (CHCs) offer low-barrier care across the city — Ontario lists 75 CHCs province-wide.
Do this first
Urgent but not an emergency?
Call 211 to find a clinic or CHC near you, or contact one of the homeless-health providers below.
Call 211Need medication or a refill?
Bring your medication list, bottles, or prescriptions to any clinic visit — it's the fastest way to sort out refills.
No OHIP card?
See the no-OHIP options below — and the ID guide for replacing a lost health card.
If you don't have OHIP
Access Alliance’s Non-Insured Clinicprovides confidential primary care for immigrants and refugees in Toronto without health insurance, at no charge. Despite the “walk-in” name used in some listings, the clinic is appointment-based — call 416-324-9380 during their booking windows.
- Lost your health card? Street Health's ID program helps people obtain Ontario Health Cards — see the ID guide.
- CHCs can often see people regardless of insurance — intake and catchment rules vary, so call first.
- Emergency departments treat emergencies regardless of insurance status.
Call first
Clinic booking windows, catchments, and new-patient intake change. Confirm before travelling.What to bring, if you can
- Health card, if available.
- A list of your medications — or the bottles/prescriptions themselves.
- Hospital discharge papers, if you have them.
- ID, if available.
- Immigration or insurance documents, if relevant.
Missing everything on this list should not stop you from calling — say what you have and ask what works.
What to say when you call
“I need to see someone about [my health concern / a medication refill]. I’m in Toronto near [area]. I [don’t have a health card / don’t have a family doctor / am staying in a shelter]. Can your clinic see me, or can you tell me who can?”
Key contacts
Access Alliance — Non-Insured Clinic
Confidential primary care for immigrants and refugees in Toronto without health insurance. No charge. Nurse practitioner, nurse, midwife, and peer health support worker.
- Address
- 340 College St, Suite 500, Toronto
Appointment required — call during booking windows. Not a walk-in, despite the name in some listings.
Inner City Health Associates
Physicians and nurses providing specialized care to people living on the street, in shelters, encampments, and precarious housing across Toronto.
- Address
- 145 Front St E, Unit G1, Toronto
Access is through partner sites — call for the right pathway.
Inner City Family Health Team
Team-based primary care for people facing complex health needs related to homelessness — harm reduction, mental health, and long-term wellness.
- Address
- 69 Queen St E, Toronto
Intake and new-patient access must be confirmed by phone.
For longer-term, low-barrier care, see the community health centre guide. For mental health crisis support, see the crisis guide.
Peer worker tips
- Medication and refill needs are urgent even when they don't look like it — ask early.
- Watch for misleading names: some “walk-in” clinics are appointment-only. Verify before sending someone.
- Emergency departments are always a valid path for emergencies — no ID or OHIP required.
- Never give medical advice — connect people to clinics, CHCs, crisis lines, or emergency care.
Sources
All sources accessed July 2, 2026. Service details change often — call first to confirm hours, intake, and availability before travelling.
- Non-Insured Clinic — Access Alliance
- Inner City Health Associates — ICHA
- Inner City Family Health Team — ICFHT
- Community Health Centres — Government of Ontario