The chair of End Homelessness St. John’s says it’s important that the voices of residents of Horizons 106 are heard.
Doug Pawson was speaking of a protest planned for Confederation Building today at 1:00 to try to save Horizons 106.
Residents of the transitional housing facility are raising the alarm as the date for its closure draws near. Many say they won’t be returning to the shelter system and would prefer to live in encampments.
Pawson told VOCM Open Line with Brian Callahan that the wrap-around model for mental health and addictions needs to be preserved.
“We’re walking away from a really important model for the community, and to be honest, for the province.”
He says when they decided to take the concept on in 2024, they saw the value in having services on-site and readily available to those who need it the most.
“We saw an opportunity to show and demonstrate as a community how services, supported housing, transition housing and shelter services could be delivered in a more supportive manner, building on some of the best practices internationally and around the country. When we took that model on, we negotiated incredibly hard with the last government to make sure that we had a dedicated health clinic on site.”
“Our priority has always been to support those with the longest histories of homelessness, what we call chronic homelessness, and we wanted to make sure that their health needs could be met onsite.”
Listen to “Doug Pawson – End Homelessness St. John’s” on Spreaker.
Health Minister: Government Can ‘Look at Doing Things Differently’
Minister of Health and Community Services Joedy Wall (VOCM News)
The health minister says he’s open to “doing things differently” when it comes to the approach taken to long-term mental health care in the province.
With a protest to keep Horizons 106 open scheduled for Confederation Building this afternoon, the NDP’s Sheilagh O’Leary says the mental health system must stop measuring success by how quickly someone can be discharged from hospital.
She questioned Minister Joedy Wall, referencing a recent case involving a person with a developmental disability who “graduated” from an NLHS program that helped him live successfully despite needing ongoing support.
“While I’m…glad to see that decision reversed, this case raises concerns for many others who depend on long term support…will (the minister) develop an alternative long-term care model that gives people living with mental illness the support they need to live with dignity?” asked O’Leary.
Minister Wall says government can “look at doing things differently as we move forward, because…we don’t have all the answers immediately.” He committed to working with community partners, NLHS “and any member of this House…with respect to proper supports for those in need.”)
