The goals of supportive housing are as follows:
-
Assist people to live as independently as possible;
-
Assist people to participate in the community, accessing community resources and supports;
-
Provide supports to minimize stress, provide illness management, and prevent crisis and hospitalization;
-
Provide education and support to people to enable them to develop and maintain skills and relationships.
Inventory of Housing Stock
Peterborough
-
80 one bedroom head leased units through private landlords. Of those, 8 are designated as forensics units, geared towards lowering the probability of the tenant being in conflict with the law;
-
2 non-residential properties owned by CMHA. 1 administrative office building and one Crisis Program / Safe Beds facility;
-
11 residential properties with a total of 35 units.
Northumberland
-
24 head leased 1 bedroom units through private landlords. All clients are supported. Of those, 4 are designated as forensics units, geared towards lowering the probability of the tenant being in conflict with the law.
Mission Statement:
To provide flexible strengths-based and barrier free supportive housing for persons with a serious mental illness or dual diagnosis that is based on respect, dignity, hope and collaboration.
CMHA provides supports to all people who live in our housing.
Eligibility Criteria
Peterborough and Northumberland
-
16 years of age and older;
-
The individual must be diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness as determined by a professional;
-
All clients approved for supportive housing will be required to receive support through a Mental Health Case Management Service and voluntarily accept case management and housing support;
-
There are additionally a total of 12 units in Peterborough and Northumberland available for individuals who meet the previous criteria and would benefit from the program by having a lower probability of conflict with the law.
Additional criteria in Northumberland:
-
Serious and persistent mental illness includes: Schizophreniform disorders; Psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified), Bipolar Affective Disorder (mania and depression) who require a high degree of support (8:1 clinician to client ratio) to maintain holistic wellness in the community;
-
Priority will be given to individuals who meet the aforementioned criteria and who also have a history or are at risk due to their illness and symptom severity of becoming involved with the Criminal Justice System;
-
In addition, clients who are suffering with severe co-occurring disorder and who have active addictions issues which may cause housing to be jeopardized due to behaviours commonly associated with addictive behaviours must show a period of 6-month commitment, working towards a harm reduction or abstinence, and further display a willingness to achieve less risk of addictive behaviours which would have or could cause housing to be in jeopardy.
Application
Tenants for CMHA Supportive Housing units are selected by a Tenant Selection Committee using a fair and concise 5 level priority based selection system. Selection is therefore based on need and not necessarily by chronological order of application.
Application for CMHA Supportive Housing is by appointment through the Intake Worker who may be contacted at (705) 748-6711 ext. 253 or 224.