EHSJ is in the process of developing the next St. John's Community Plan to End Homelessness in 2024-2028. Consultations are taking place in the spring/summer of 2024, and the Plan is scheduled for release in September 2024. Stay tuned!
What is the transitional housing initiative?
This initiative provides a supportive environment for individuals who need additional health and housing supports in order to be successful in their housing journey. It is a collaborative effort between government, the health authority, and community partners, which leverages insights from successful models elsewhere in Canada.
As a transitional housing initiative, this is a three-year, time-bound project that provides those living on site with individualized supports while permanent supportive and community housing is created. Individuals living on site will sign lease agreements, giving them security of tenure while permanent supportive and community housing is created.
The Housing Continuum
This initiative is a transitional housing project, it is not a shelter. It is transitional housing designed to offer support to help those living on site to ready themselves for more permanent supportive and community housing.
Source: CMHC
Why is this important?
Housing is fundamental to a person’s well-being. This initiative is addressing a current gap in our housing system for individuals experiencing homelessness that require not only a safe place to live, but also wrap-around supports. This initiative will provide a pathway for individuals to successfully transition to more independent and stable housing in the future.
Housing insecurity and homelessness impacts not only those who are experiencing it directly, but also entire communities. Efforts to address homelessness support healthier, safer and more inclusive communities.
This initiative will:
What services and staffing will be in place?
The site will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure residents have the necessary supports to be successful.
Health services will be provided by an interdisciplinary health team, operating from a trauma informed perspective to address individual client health needs, including:
Clinicians and support worker staff will be onsite to offer life skills development and support individuals with the next steps in their housing journey.
Who is running this initiative?
This initiative is a collaboration between Newfoundland and Labrador Housing (NL Housing), NL Health Services (NLHS), End Homelessness St. John's (EHSJ), and community partners engaged in health and housing.
How will you ensure safety for residents and the local community?
Safety is of the utmost importance for residents, staff, and neighbours of the site. NL Housing, NL Health Services, and EHSJ will undertake an extensive decision-making process for selection and occupancy. Security and other staff will be onsite at all times. As well, individuals eligible to access the initiative will have a choice in determining whether the site is a suitable option for them, and will sign a lease that not only provides them with security of tenure, but also stipulates a set of common rules that everyone must follow, including security rules.
If you are a resident of the Airport Heights neighbourhood and would like to ask questions about this initiative please write to:
airportheights@wecanendit.com