A 50-unit supportive housing project in Chatham will be moving forward after a motion to reconsider it failed.
A motion from Councillor Ryan Doyle to reconsider and turn the municipally-owned property at 110 Sandys Street in Chatham into an addictions recovery and treatment centre instead failed on Monday night by a vote of 9-8. The motion to reconsider supportive housing for people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness needed twelve votes to pass.
Council instead approved $500,000 for the design, tendering, and contract administration of redeveloping the soon-to-be vacated long-term care facility by a 10-8 vote.
A frustrated Doyle told council that supportive housing next to a women's shelter, school, and church would damage the neighbourhood, but was okay with a recovery and treatment centre.
Doyle also questioned why the former long-term care facility is being redeveloped as supportive housing when it was bought for affordable housing for seniors.
Chatham-Kent General Manager of Health and Human Services Jodi Guilmette told council that supportive housing better meets the needs of the homeless, but recovery and treatment facilities are also required and the process to land some is already underway.
"When I look at that space, the needs across the community, and what the municipal mandates are in terms of the services that we provide, supportive housing is the primary need," said Guilmette.
Councillor Lauren Anderson, who is also a nurse, said the success rates of recovery homes are very high and the great majority of those who go through a recovery home are sober after one year, something she doesn't believe supportive housing can achieve.
"When I look at this I see there could be a better use for this," Anderson noted.
Guilmette said the next step is to issue a Request For Proposals to determine who is interested in operating the site, adding that recovery and treatment options could be incorporated in the plan. A decision on that isn't anticipated until next year, she said.
The operator will coordinate closely with hospitals, crisis teams, primary care, mental health and addictions agencies, probation and parole, and other partners to ensure residents receive integrated and non-fragmented supports.
The operator will also focus on prevention, early intervention, and promoting successful transitions to greater independence where appropriate.
Data shows that 139 one-bedroom supportive housing units are currently needed and projections indicate that number jumps to 193 by 2030.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said several private discussions have taken place with what was only described as a faith-based group wanting to operate several supportive housing sites, including Sandys Street, leaving some councillors wanting more information about the talks.
"People are interested in this property, yes, looking at different ways and as we move forward we'll be able to work with all of them. We have several properties, including this one. It's extremely important that we work with all those partners because we as a municipality can't do it alone," the mayor said.
Chief Administrative Officer Michael Duben promised an information report about the talks would be coming as soon as possible.
