"At the Unity Project we have each other, and the staff are real, quality people. People here do really well because of the home atmosphere. We respect the rules that keep us safe while allowing us to be free. We do everything together in running things, cooking and cleaning and doing things for ourselves, which is more like reality and brings us together."
- UP resident, Dec 05

The Unity Project serves 50-70 people a day, offering emergency shelter and transitional housing in an environment that functions like a large and busy household. Residents are routinely involved in the function of the shelter, such as in cooking, cleaning, reception, and peer support, enjoying the practical application and development of important life skills. There are two buildings on the Unity Project property. The rear building (717 Dundas), is set back from the main street and offers drop-in, crash bed, emergency shelter, and phase-I transitional housing, while the front building, known as Unity House (719-721 Dundas), supports more independent living with phase-II transitional housing. Staff provide case management to emergency shelter and transitional residents. Residents are assigned a Front-line Community Support Worker to assist in establishing and promoting an action plan according to individual needs. The Unity Project utilizes the existing programs and services within the community to increase support and access to necessary resources.

The Unity Project program, and the values that inform it, fill a gap in shelter programming in London and area, meeting critical needs of homeless people with unique and distinguishing features that include:

• a small scale service and good, home-like environment where cooperative activities help in the development of important life skills
• the smaller, community scale empowers residents to take responsibility, lend their strength, get help where they need it and learn new skills.
• Homeless couples can stay together; with UP they have a home and each other
• The door is never closed; there is always someone to talk to, someone to help
• Transitional housing provides an important bridge to those who require reduced intervention and a supportive community to achieve independence
• An entirely secular environment that promotes the values of "community" including compassion, mutual respect, cooperation and interdependence
• Providing shelter without judgement to "ineligibles" - those who are homeless and without means but who are not eligible for shelter funding
• Residents are automatically members of the Unity Project with voice and vote at Annual General Meetings and a say in how the shelter operates everyday