OMHLTC funds 6,900 supportive housing units of mentally ill

#Toronto, #Ontario, #TorontoCentralLocaHealthIntegrationNetwork, #JohnTory, #EricHoskins, #PeterMilczyn, OntarioMinistryofHealthandLong-TermCare (MOHLTC)

Toronto, Jan 23 (Canadian-Media): Ontario is working with the City of Toronto's  health care providers, shelter operators, the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) -- responsible for planning, funding and integrating local health services that meet the needs of Over 1.3 million people live within the Toronto Central LHIN area -- and city staff to improve  access to health services for homeless people or those living in shelters, media reports said.

John Tory: Facebook Page

Homelessness is a very real urban issue in Canada, and addressing it is the responsibility of all citizens and all levels of government," John Tory, Mayor of Toronto was reported to state.

Ontario and city of Toronto officials working together to reportedly develop and implement the shelter health services pilot project over the next few months.

Renovations at 354 George Street, including to the building’s HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems  are reportedly being undertaken by the province to prepare the facility for the City of Toronto to use as a temporary shelter.

Approximately 6,900 units of supportive housing inhabited by people with mental disorders and other vulnerable people, in the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto and its adjoining cities) are being funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (OMHLTC) -- a patient-focused, results-driven, integrated and sustainable publicly funded health system.​

"The root cause of a good deal of the homelessness and shelter issues Toronto is facing tie back to mental health and addiction issues...I want to thank the Ontario government for working with the City of Toronto to implement long-term solutions to address this complex issue and its roots," Tory was reported to state.

"Our government is committed to continuing to work together with all our partners to find innovative solutions to improving access to needed health services for shelter users and increase the supply of supportive housing units in Toronto and across Ontario,"  Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care was reported to state.

Eric Hoskins: Facebook page

Hoskins also exteded his gratitude to "front-line shelter workers and health service providers for their tireless work and advocacy on behalf of shelter users, who are some of the most vulnerable, underserved individuals in our communities."

Based on the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Panel on Homelessness -- established in Sep 2014 with a mandate to give advice on how to define and measure homelessness in Ontario, how to prioritize and set targets for ending homelessness, and how to build the evidence base and capacity to implement best practices around the province --  Ontario has set a goal to end chronic homelessness by 2025.
 
"We are committed to ending chronic homelessness in Ontario by 2025...Getting people into homes is vital to helping them live their lives to their fullest potential," Peter Milczyn, Ontario Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy was reported to state.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)