The Council will consider the proposed homeless and addiction treatment center

Content of the article

Programs provided through a proposed Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) center would help thousands of people annually, according to a report prepared for city councilors.

Content of the article

The report, which will be presented to city aldermen at a special council meeting on Oct. 15, says the center would help at least 6,000 people a year through about 20,000 planned interactions. Councilors will be asked to approve an application to establish a HART center to serve Brantford and Brant County.

The application is led by SOAR Community Services with input and support from various community agencies. It’s in support of a four-year, $378 million provincial government initiative to create 10 new HART centers across Ontario.

The centers would connect people with complex needs with a comprehensive and local approach to treatment. They will provide a range of services including primary care, mental health and addictions care, social services and employment support, the report says.

Content of the article

In addition, the centers will increase the availability and access to supportive housing to promote stability for clients and communities, the report says.

The province aims to have the centers operational by the winter of 2025.

Formerly known as St. Leonard’s Community Services, SOAR has been providing housing, employment, justice addiction and mental health programs to the community for over 56 years. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

The report, prepared by city staff, says SOAR has extensive formal and informal relationships with community partners to provide coordinated and comprehensive services to clients.

The report says the partnerships cover addictions, housing and emergency shelter intake and the Housing Resource Center which is funded and operated through a partnership with the city.

Content of the article

“They (SOAR) have a track record of effectively managing funding contracts, using project resources efficiently and effectively, executing project deliverables, implementing and monitoring complex programs and collaborating effectively with partners,” says l report “SOAR’s senior leadership team has more than 50 years of combined experience in health and social services, and expertise in program development, implementation, evaluation and quality improvement.”

The city and county face significant challenges related to homelessness and addiction. The report says that the establishment of a HART center in the region is essential to address these issues comprehensively and effectively.

The center would provide a centralized location for services and support from community agencies such as Brantford Native Housing De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre, Grand River Community Health Centre, Brant Community Health Centre.

According to the report

• At least 40 people per year would be supported for access withdrawal management through the HART Hub.
• At least 20 people a year would have access to bed addiction treatment.
• A minimum of 24 people will be served in transitional housing units annually, with individualized post-treatment support, including intensive support housing.

[email protected]

twitter.com/EXPVall

Content of the article