COUNTY OF WELLINGTON – The county will be relocating those facing homelessness from Guelph hotels to a new supportive pilot project at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre's Loyola House.
Six months ago, the County of Wellington chose to close all three emergency shelters to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
All clients and staff were relocated to the Holiday Inn Express in Guelph as a temporary accomodation. Those who needed to self-isolate could do so at the Loyola House.
Social services committee chair David Anderson said in a press release that the collaborative response to the pandemic gave an opportunity to explore a new approach by integrating more services.
“With emergency shelter standards already being re-drafted, this new approach has reinforced our need to shift to a model with a strong housing focus that supports multi-sector service delivery,” Anderson said.
A press release from the county says this new model provides a safe space to stay, 24/7 access, onsite health care and case management to find permanent housing.
This model has been considered a success so far as health outcomes for people facing homelessness has improved.
The press release states that there have been no positive COVID-19 cases, seven people have entered treatment or medical facilities, 31 people have found permanent housing and emergency service use has declined.
Lisa Calzonetti, director of operations at Ignatius Jesuit Centre, said in a press release that Loyola House has provided a welcoming space for more than 50 years.
“We see this initiative with our partners to be one of collaboration and community mindfulness,” Calzonetti said. “It is a positive and hopeful direction towards providing a meaningful life to our more vulnerable community members.”
Community partners involved in this include the Welcome In Drop In Centre, the Guelph Community Health Centre, Ignatius Jesuit Centre, Stonehenge Therapeutic Community and Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo-Wellington.
People accommodated in the LHSTAP program will continue to be supported to transition towards more permanent housing.
“We are so happy to be able to continue to support individuals that are homeless in a way that is safe during this pandemic and in partnership with Loyola House,” said Gail Hoekstra, executive director at the Welcome In Drop In Centre, in a press release.
“This opportunity will also help us continue to work with our health partners to support people towards better health during their time at Loyola House along with continuing to work towards permanent housing opportunities.”
