The provincial government has issued a request for proposals for a transitional and supportive housing program that will eventually replace the operation at Horizons 106 on Airport Road.

Government is looking for a partner or partners to create and operate 60 units of transitional and supportive housing.

Transitional housing is meant for people who are transitioning from chronic homelessness to sustainable independent living, while supportive housing refers to those who need longer-term supports.

The group that is successful in the RFP process will propose the specific mix of the two types of units, but there must be at least 20 of each.

The new program will also include supports similar to that which is currently offered at the Horizons facility.

Once the new program is up and running it will replace the current initiative on Airport Road.

Housing minister John Abbott is optimistic that can happen within the next year.

He says they have set April 1st as a potential target date, but if that has to be moved into the spring or summer then “so be it.” He says once they get proposals in they will be looking at ways to fast-track the process.