Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Lighthouse Shelter expected to get 10 additional beds

Housing options are often limited for the homeless with serious mental health and addiction problems according to a regional report described by the Milton Canadian Champion inside Halton website. Housing options are often limited for the homeless with serious mental health and addiction problems a regional report revealed. The demand for a place to stay often outweighs the supply, with only four beds available in Halton for this “hard to house client group” through the Canadian Mental Health Association. In an effort to tackle the issue, Halton Region is partnering with CMHA to develop and implement a Safebeds program at Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter in Oakville. The details of this partnership were revealed through a report prepared by the social and community services department and supported by the Region’s health and social services committee at its meeting Tuesday With regional council’s approval at its meeting May 29, program plans are expected to move ahead with the Oakville shelter poised to receive an additional 10 beds that will be exclusively available to individuals with mental health and addiction issues. Screening and admissions for the use of these beds will be done by CMHA, which will be funding the project and providing on-site 24-hour counseling permanently through two staff members. These counsellors will also be available to support the Salvation Army’s other clients that are housed in the existing 30 beds at the Lighthouse Shelter.

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