GUELPH — The Ontario government is investing $9 million to connect more than 100 additional people in Guelph and Wellington areas to supportive housing and the high-quality, comprehensive mental health and addictions support services they need, close to home.
“Through our government’s 2024 Budget, we are continuing to make bold, innovative changes to support our most vulnerable with more access to safe, supportive housing and mental health and addictions services here in communities across the province,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Today’s investment will break down barriers to make it easier and faster for people in Guelph-Wellington to access supportive housing and community-based mental health and addictions support services close to home.”
Ontario’s investment will connect 32 additional people to new supportive housing spaces with 24/7 supports at Stonehenge Therapeutic Community and Guelph Community Health Centre’s new Shelldale facility that will support individuals who experienced chronic homelessness.
The funding will also help to increase access for 76 additional high‐needs supportive housing residents at Grace Gardens, Wyndam House and Delhi St transitional home. This includes support to hire 16 new full-time health care positions to connect people to specialized resources at these facilities, including:
- Individual care plans to help people transition from hospital to a supportive housing unit
- Connecting people to primary care and withdrawal management to prevent unnecessary visits to hospital emergency departments
- Increased access to individual and group therapy and other community-based services
“People at risk of or experiencing homelessness and facing mental health and addictions challenges require reliable and accessible services,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “Opening the new supportive housing site in Guelph with specialized care is another step toward building capacity of our mental health and addictions services and helping ensure vulnerable people connect to high-quality care where and when they need it.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government is making it easier and faster for individuals of all ages to connect to care such as mental health and addictions support, primary care and social services.