The Executive Director of End Homelessness St. John’s says they’re welcoming residents to the transitional home in the old Airport Comfort Inn in a staggered approach.
End Homelessness is operating the shelter, while government is leasing the building over the next three years at a cost of $21 million.
The former hotel will house people with no-where else to go until more permanent housing solutions are found, complete with wrap-around health and support services.
Doug Pawson says they now have 43 people staying at the facility with others already having made the move back into the community.
“At the end of last week we had 43 current residents who’d signed leases” Pawson told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly, while “we’ve had four folks successfully move on…into other housing options.” They’ve also hired 40 on-site staff to provide services to residents.
Minister John Abbott (left) and Doug Pawson (right)
Meanwhile, The provincial government is looking at expanding its treatment and recovery programs for people addicted to opioids.
Minister of Housing John Abbott says the province is also expected to address a gap in treatment and recovery programming to help prevent relapse.
Abbott says among the comments and criticisms they’ve heard has to do with people who have gone through withdrawal in a clinical setting, but then have trouble finding a place to be while they adjust to their new life.
Unfortunately, what sometimes happens says Abbott, is that people are forced to once again turn to drugs because they don’t have a place to stay to maintain their ongoing recovery.
That’s something government is hoping to address in the not-too-distant future.
He says they’re hoping to improve, expand, and add capacity to so-called ‘recovery homes’ and they’re currently in conversation with a number of community groups on that aspect of recovery.
They’re also looking at expanding programming and supports for people when they need them, and where they need them 24-7.
