Housing Program

The Housing Program provides a rent supplement to individuals who have an ongoing mental health disability; and who require additional assistance to find or maintain safe, adequate, and stable housing.  We have a limited number of units available. The benefit is restricted to Employment and Income Assistance participants who have been enrolled on the basis of a mental health disability and clients must have an unstable housing situation that is interfering with their progress in treatment and positive participation in community life.

The Housing Program will provide better access to the private rental market and will be accompanied by services to support a stable tenancy. The Housing Manager will provide support and services that will include referrals to other agencies as deemed necessary in order to maximize success.

Supportive Housing for Persons with Problematic Substance Use

Program Description

The program offers a limited number of rent supplements and is aimed at supporting successful tenancy for persons with addictions.  Supportive Case Management is provided for individuals in the program.  An addiction assessment is mandatory to qualify for the supplement.  Eligibility reviewed annually and when changes to income occur.

The objective to the housing initiative is:

  • Reduce the frequency of re-admission to addiction withdrawal programs
  • Reduce contact with the criminal justice system
  • Increase successful tenancy
  • Reduce repeated use of emergency and acute care systems

Target Population

  • Persons aged 18 plus with a history of problematic substance use. 
  • Persons with substance abuse problems who require stable housing
  • Persons who have recently completed an addiction treatment program or are currently engaged in addiction treatment
  • Persons on methadone maintenance
  • Persons with concurrent disorders
  • Homeless or at risk individuals
  • Applicants with a history of violent behavior will not be considered.

In order to process the referral, we require a comprehensive assessment.  In addition to the target population identified, the appropriate client should:

  • Be motivated and able to engage in goal oriented rehabilitation (case management)
  • Be assessed as ready to live in an independent housing situation
  • Be assessed as having a low risk of the potential for violence
  • Be willing to use relapse prevention approaches
  • Be engaged in or have completed a treatment rehabilitation plan
  • Willing to work with all relevant  providers and share information to maximize outcomes
  • Be a recipient of Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program or otherwise qualify for RGI (Rent Geared to Income)

Capacity – 8 units

Contact:

Brent Chapman, Housing Manager

807-274-2347 ext. 15