New Huron County program aims to transition homeless people into permanent housing

Huron County is launching the Bridge Housing and Stability program in November, one that aims to provide year-round support for people experiencing homelessness.

The county is working with the Canadian Mental Health Network Huron Perth to help people transition from homelessness to permanent housing.

"We've been collaborating with the county for a number of years now in providing emergency services," said Elise Metcalf, director of housing and congregate care at Canadian Mental Health Association Huron Perth. "This is our next opportunity to provide bridge housing, which offers opportunities for participants to exit homelessness and receive intensive case management support with the goal of securing permanent housing."

Huron County previously offered emergency overnight housing and support during the winter months in which 20 people successfully obtained permanent housing.

Now the county is looking to expand its services to a year-round operation.

The Bridge Housing program will use a six-bedroom house owned by the CMHA and two four-bedroom townhouses owned by Huron County to provide 14 spaces altogether for homeless people on a first-come, first-serve basis with a waiting list.

"This isn't an issue that's targeted to the winter months," said Metcalf. "If you look at the numbers of individuals experiencing homelessness per capita [in] our region, arguably it's on par to that of London and the larger city centers as well."

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Huron County has increased since the beginning of the year with 96 people facing homelessness in February to 109 in April, according to a monthly report by Huron's Housing and Homelessness Service system.

CMHA HP estimated that they need $879,383 to run the program and have so far earmarked $452,340, which is split between United Way Perth Huron ($25,700) and Homelessness Prevention Program ($426,640), according to a staff report.

People in the program will be taught life skills to help them get back on their feet, Metcalf said.

"How to cook, how to clean, how to live in a congregate environment with other individuals, how [to] do your laundry, how [to] start accessing other services," Metcalf said.

They will be allowed a maximum stay of three months with a possible extension determined on a case by case basis.

"Being able to offer permanent housing is of course the ideal goal here," said Metcalf. "This is really a bridge, it's an opportunity, it's a stepping stone."