A special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Ashton Drive to celebrate the opening of the Holmes House Addiction Supportive Housing (ASH) Program’s new location.
The Holmes House Addiction Supportive Housing (ASH) program in Simcoe has secured a permanent new home, thanks to an innovative partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Branch (CMHA), the Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation (HNHC), Norfolk County, and Norfolk General Hospital (NGH). This proud partnership helps to address the growing homelessness and addiction crisis in our community, providing a beacon of hope for individuals seeking recovery.
We spoke to Matt Bowen, CEO of HNHC about what prompted the need for a new location to call home.
Bowen explained that they were able to utilize existing legacy, social housing stock. The new home, located on Ashton Drive in Simcoe was retro-fitted and input was taken from current and previous program participants.
By not building a new structure, Bowen pointed out the project was far easier to bring to fruition.
The program offers individuals up to a year of intensive support for addiction recovery and housing. The ASH program is designed to assist people who have completed a 21-day detox with an affordable place to live. The new residence was designed to be a cooperative healing space.
Through the ASH program, individuals receive counseling, education, employment skills, and homelessness prevention. The semi-detached home on Ashton Drive, owned by the HNHC, provides up to eight supportive housing units for people in post-addiction recovery. The HNHC will own and manage the property.
“Our collaboration with NGH and all of our amazing community partners marks a significant step forward in our dedication to improving the well-being of our entire community,” said Sarah Page, General Manager, Health and Social Services of Haldimand-Norfolk. “By integrating our expertise, resources, and shared passion for helping others, we can make a significant difference in the lives of people seeking a way out of addiction and homelessness by providing them with the support and housing they need to recover and move toward a brighter future.”
This program has been extremely successful in supporting people from addiction to recovery. You can read about Jenna’s journey to recovery here.
Written by Jeremy Hall