A project in Chatham-Kent (CK) has won an award at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa.
Mayor Darrin Canniff reports that the Municipality of Chatham-Kent received a P.J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award for the Pathways on Park Transitional Cabin Project in Chatham.
The award recognizes outstanding projects that are transforming communities across Ontario.
Mayor Canniff thanked AMO for recognizing the work happening in Chatham-Kent, adding that he's proud to see the CK community recognized on the provincial stage.
"A proud moment for Chatham-Kent at the AMO Conference," said Canniff. "This is a great recognition for our community. Tackling big challenges takes people working together. This award is a credit to our Council, Administration, and everyone who worked hard to bring this project to life."
A maximum of three awards are handed out each year to submissions that best exhibit all of the award’s criteria.
The Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award honours one of Ontario’s youngest and most innovative municipal finance commissioners.
It recognizes those municipal governments demonstrating excellence in the use of innovative approaches to improve capital and/or operating efficiency and to generate effectiveness through alternative service delivery initiatives and partnerships.
The award’s objective is to showcase instances where Ontario municipalities have implemented and can point to tangible outcomes from new, more cost effective ways of providing public services and facilities.
“Pathways on Park is a great example of how municipalities can effectively partner with community agencies to deliver timely, person-centred housing solutions while maximizing existing assets and public investment,” said AMO President Robin Jones. “We were very impressed that the project repurposed an existing municipal property into safe, supportive transitional housing units when it is so critically needed.”
The transitional cabins project hasn't evolved without controversy. One woman shared her nightmarish experience living there with Council in November.
The municipality noted Pathways on Park recently marked its first full year of operation, providing transitional housing and around-the-clock supports to people experiencing homelessness while helping participants work toward stable, long-term housing.
Since opening, the program has supported 126 unique individuals, including 12 unaccompanied youth, and 11 seniors aged 65 and older, said municipal officials.
It has also accommodated 16 dogs to allow people to remain with their pets, they noted.
Administration said 28 participants have successfully moved from Pathways on Park into long-term housing, adding that 93 per cent of them remain housed.
The average stay at Pathways on Park is 81 days, staff said.
Pathways on Park has 50 individual transitional cabins along with shared amenities and access to 24/7 case management.
Participants receive individualized support connecting them with housing services, life-skills programming, mental health and addiction supports, and other community resources.
