Housing Stability, Economic Opportunity, and Community Impact in Niagara Falls

Logo for Falls Manor Resort & Outfitters with a stylized beer mug and blue background.
Visit Falls Manor Restaurant's Website Here

Falls Manor is an innovative, Niagara Falls–based response to the housing affordability and homelessness crisis, particularly for women exiting homelessness, violence, poverty, disability, and systemic barriers.

Led by YWCA Niagara Region, this project transforms a long‑standing, locally loved property into 39 units of supported transitional housing, paired with the continued operation of the Falls Manor restaurant, a Niagara Falls institution since 1953.

This project preserves what the community values while adding what the community urgently needs: housing stability, employment opportunity, and long‑term solutions that reduce pressure on emergency services. This is a game-changer for Niagara to build on its innovative ways while helping those most in need.

A Smart, Community‑Rooted Investment

A digital illustration of a key and a keychain with a house-shaped keychain, featuring a heart shape in the center, all in a yellowish color.

  • 39 units of supported Stage 1 transitional housing for women exiting homelessness

  • Up to four years of housing stability with on‑site staff and coordinated supports

  • Expansion of an established YWCA program from 17 to 39 units

Housing

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  • Continued operation of the Falls Manor restaurant, retaining existing staff

  • Paid, real‑world hospitality training for program participants

  • Employment pathways aligned with Niagara’s food and tourism economy

Employment & Skills

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  • Wraparound supports co‑designed with Birchway Niagara and the Niagara Regional Native Centre

  • Employment collaboration with YMCA Niagara

  • Deep affordability supported by Niagara Regional Housing subsidies

Partnership & Care

Colorful community houses in a neighborhood with people socializing, surrounded by tall trees under a partly cloudy sky.

A Look Into The Future…

A woman is standing in a kitchen with white cabinets and a stainless steel refrigerator, preparing food. A young girl is sitting on a bed with pillows in a bedroom adjacent to the kitchen, holding a teddy bear and looking at a book. The space is decorated with flowers on a marble table and artwork on the wall. There are lamps on bedside tables, and the room has a window with a view of greenery outside.
A residential neighborhood with small houses, some with people engaging in activities like walking and biking, and a backdrop of tall, lush green trees under a cloudy sky.

Preserving a Community Asset

A woman in a white jacket and a man in a black jacket standing outside a blue building with a sign that reads 'Falls Manor.' The building has large windows with ducks visible inside and an awning with the text 'Established 1953'.

The Falls Manor restaurant has been part of Niagara Falls since 1953 and remains a well‑loved gathering place. Under YWCA stewardship:

• Existing staff and management remain the same and now offered benefits and vacation

• The restaurant continues to operate as the community knows and loves it – same great staff and menu!

• Every meal now contributes to housing stability and economic opportunity

A Proven Organization, A Ready Project

Aerial view of a commercial property with multiple buildings, parking lot, swimming pool, and surrounding street with cars and greenery in the background.

YWCA Niagara Region has served the community since 1927, with more than four decades of experience delivering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and skills development programs across Niagara. We serve over 1,400 women, men, children, and gender-diverse individuals every year throughout a variety of ways. We have a proven track record of helping our community.

Falls Manor builds on this proven foundation. It is not a pilot initiative. It is an expansion of a model that demonstrates strong outcomes in housing stability and community reintegration. This is a game-changer for Niagara to build on its innovative ways while helping those most in need.

Reducing Long‑Term Community Costs

Four women are hugging each other warmly, standing close together with their eyes closed, smiling and expressing affection and comfort.

Women entering Falls Manor often face multiple, intersecting challenges. Without stable housing and income, many cycle repeatedly through shelters, emergency healthcare, and crisis services. All of these are outcomes that are costly for individuals, businesses, and municipalities.

Falls Manor interrupts this cycle by combining safe housing with ongoing and wrap-around supports, goal‑setting, skills development, and real employment experience.

This integrated approach improves housing retention and supports long‑term independence.

Falls Manor was made possible by many voices, partners, and elected officials who believe in our work.

We couldn’t have started this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity without the support and unwavering commitment from our community and government. Check out some of their pictures and videos from our launch day this April!

A woman with gray hair and glasses speaking into a microphone during a presentation. She is standing in front of a large television screen showing a digital illustration of houses, trees, and a blue sky with green trees in the background. Several people are seated at tables in the audience, listening attentively. The room has wooden walls with framed pictures and a log wall design behind the screen.
A woman standing and speaking at a small indoor gathering with several seated attendees. There is a large screen in the background displaying an image and text related to a YMCA Niagara event, with wood paneling and framed pictures on the wall.
Group of people gathered indoors, posing for a photo, with wooden walls and ceiling, in a cozy setting.
Man in dark suit speaking to a group during a presentation in a restaurant or conference room with wood log wall and framed pictures
Seven people standing outside a blue building with awnings and parked cars.
Man giving a presentation in a cozy wood-paneled room with log walls, standing in front of a large screen, with three seated people listening.
Two men dressed in suits smiling and standing together indoors with a wood-paneled ceiling, log wall, window with blinds, and a large TV screen in the background.

How to Support

Plate of fried chicken, potato chips, and coleslaw with side dishes of mashed potatoes with gravy and whipped cream.

Visit Falls Manor!

They are called classics for a reason. Stop by and have a taste of Falls Manors local specialties! Each purchase helps keep the restaurant operating and women and gender-diverse individuals in Niagara safe on their road to self-sufficiency!

Falls Manor Restaurant Menu
Group of women smiling and walking together outside, with a brick building and trees in the background.

Donate Directly to the YWCA!

The best way to support this initiative is to donate directly to the YWCA to ensure that when a woman or gender-diverse individual needs our support most, we are there with open arms.

Create A Local Impact Today
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Follow us Both on Social Media!

Your ability to help spread the word about the best breakfast spot in town and ongoing gender equity efforts in Niagara helps more incredible people like yourself become involved in essential work happening in Niagara!

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