Everyone deserves housing

Studies show that housing is foundational to health and wellness investing in supportive housing saves across the healthcare, social services, and justice sectors. 

Struggling with mental health and substance use issues is not unique. In fact, the need for support is growing.

To address this increasing need, Support House, a member of the Mental Health & Addictions Alliance, has been realigning its work to focus more fully on the unhoused population — including receiving referrals through the Region of Halton’s ‘By Name List’ (BNL). This will allow for the creation of more intentional services for those needs.  

New referral criteria include anyone experiencing mental health and substance use (age 16+, VI-SPDAT 4+, Locus level 3+) and requires housing stability. A new multi-disciplinary, team-based approach to community outreach will include one-to-one peer support and in-person peer groups. 

This “Housing First Response Team” came out of a successful bid tendered services with the Region of Halton for ‘Mental Health Supports in Emergency Shelters’ RFP #G-010-22. The initial investment is for a two-year program with the potential for ongoing funding.

The Housing First Response Team will connect with unhoused people who have mental health and substance use concerns and are in immediate need of housing stability, crisis support and wrap-around services. It works alongside the Region and other community partners to house clients through Coordinated Access — including the Regional BNL.

The Housing First Response Team will coordinate existing Service Pathways and Outreach Teams and support people seven days a week anywhere in Halton, including shelters.  The staff team is comprised of 8.0 FTEs and includes a manager and outreach workers, peers and other specialties such as an ADAPT addiction specialist staff member.

Studies show that housing is foundational to health and wellness — and investing in supportive housing saves across the healthcare, social services, and justice sectors.  By opening doors, we can open minds and possibilities for people experiencing complex mental health and substance use concerns.