The Provincial Government, along with its community partners, continues its efforts to address homelessness in the province, and is today announcing a partnership between the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation (NLHC), Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services and Clayton Hospitality, a local hotel operator. This partnership will see the hotel, located at 106 Airport Road in St. John’s, used as a transitional supportive living arrangement for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Transitional supportive living provides temporary accommodations with wrap-around supports for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, with the goal of fostering transition to independent permanent housing. This facility includes 140 rooms for use as transitional units and will include designated rooms supported by NL Health Services. Clients will be identified through an intake process and health care services will include harm reduction, community health nursing, case management, mental health and addiction services and social navigation.
The facility will feature on-site personnel, security and a key card system for each individual room, as well as three-times daily meal service. Hotel staff will be joined by a combination of community-based staff, security and health care professionals.
The facility is expected to begin accepting temporary residents in March 2024. The lease agreement provides for a three-year term until December 31, 2026.
The new arrangement complements the important work to date by the St. John’s Homelessness Acute Response Task Force since its establishment in late-November. All individuals staying at the tent encampment have been offered safe and secure placement with wrap-around supports.
Coordinated services continue to be offered and delivered to individuals engaged in the encampment in downtown St. John’s. Through regular visits by partner agencies including the Provincial Government, End Homelessness St. John’s, and NL Health Services, individuals continue to be offered services and medical care, as required.
The NL Health Services’ Harm Reduction Team, which includes nurse practitioners, psychiatric registered nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, addictions counsellors, peer support and outreach staff, continues to be actively engaged in working with the individuals to understand their health needs, including medications and mental health supports.
The task force consists of the Honourable John G. Abbott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and MHA for St. John’s East – Quidi Vidi; His Worship, Danny Breen, Mayor of the City of St. John’s; and Doug Pawson, Executive Director of End Homelessness St. John’s. The task force continues to meet with community partners.
Quotes
“We are very pleased that we have advanced another option for those experiencing homelessness in our province. While we recognize there is no one quick solution that will address the complex issues surrounding homelessness, this represents one more opportunity for individuals to have a safe, warm, transitional supportive living arrangement. We continue to work on securing appropriate options for individuals at the Colonial Building site, and all have been offered a safe and secure placement with wrap-around supports.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
MHA for St. John’s East – Quidi Vidi
“This transitional supportive housing initiative is another example of how, in working with dedicated community partners, we can find creative solutions to addressing homelessness, providing wrap-around services to meet individual needs while continuing to work toward more permanent housing solutions.”
Honourable Paul Pike
Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation
“We are pleased to see a new transitional housing option being made available to support our most vulnerable neighbours. Building upon models from across the country, we know just how important it is to intentionally integrate health, housing and community supports into this new facility. We are hopeful that combining efforts and resources across NL Health Services, NLHC and community partners will deliver better outcomes and be the catalyst for the transformation of the shelter system in St. John’s and beyond.”
Doug Pawson
End Homelessness St. John’s