More support for emergency shelter in the province

Strong community partnerships will help enhance options for Islanders experiencing homelessness. 

Immediate actions include: adding transitional beds at Harvest House to support men; a continued partnership with Blooming House to support women; access to day time warming shelters and support services; and new partnerships to provide support to the Prince County area. 

“We need to work together as a community to address the emergency shelter needs of Islanders and ensure that there are options available so no one has to be put in a dangerous situation. We have started to implement concrete actions to ensure there is range of options available to support people facing homelessness.”

- Minister of Social Development and Housing, Ernie Hudson

As part of the Housing Action Plan, an independent consultant carried out a community needs assessment to inform planning for emergency shelter on Prince Edward Island. The community needs assessment outlines 30 recommendations under three broad categories: 
1.    Increase housing supply for emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing and subsidized housing; 
2.    Adopt a client-centred, collaborative approach; and
3.    Develop standard data collection approaches and common reporting. 

View the report and government’s actions to address the recommendations at Community Needs Assessment on Emergency Shelters. 

Media contact:
April Gallant
Department of Social Development and Housing
902-620-3409
aldgallant@gov.pe.ca

Backgrounder 

Transitional housing for men

• Harvest House is developing a 6-bed transition unit for men at its current location at 243 University Avenue. The Province will provide financial assistance to support the necessary renovations to the building. 

“Harvest House specializes in providing programs aimed at helping marginalized and at risk youth and adults with mentorship, education and spiritual well-being. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with other local agencies to provide necessary resources and housing for those in need.”

-    John Bennett, Executive Director, Harvest House

Continued support for women’s shelters in the province

• Blooming House is an 8-bed overnight shelter which has created a safe, non-judgmental and welcoming environment for vulnerable women who are experiencing homelessness in Charlottetown. The harm-reduction, low-barrier model at Blooming House ensures that Blooming House is able to serve all women, and those who identify as women, wherever they are in their journey. The province has provided funding to Blooming House since winter 2019 and has recently extended that agreement to March 31, 2020 to ensure support for women experiencing homelessness this winter.

“Since the beginning of our work, we have explored offering a wide range of services to better serve vulnerable women in Charlottetown. We look forward to continuing our work, our partnership with the government and the community, to provide the best care possible."

-    Liz Corney, Co-founder and President, Blooming House 

• The Province recently met with individuals in the Summerside area who want to support women in need in Prince County and agreed to provide financial assistance for the development of an operating plan. 
• The Province continues to work with community partners to develop a model of service for 24/7 support for women in the province. 

Partnering with the Salvation Army

• The Province continues its partnership with Salvation Army in Charlottetown to support Bedford-MacDonald House and the Salvation Army Food Bank. The Salvation Army will provide a warming centre for men and women during the day. 
• In partnership with the Salvation Army in Summerside, the Province will help support an out of the cold shelter and emergency shelter for individuals in the Prince County area.

“The Salvation Army Summerside is pleased to see the proactive approach of the provincial government and is pleased to work with our partners in the provision of care to ensure our citizens have their basic needs met.”

-    Major Wayne Green, Salvation Army Summerside

Warming Shelter
-    The Upper Room Hospitality Ministry’s Soup Kitchen is reviewing options to remain open during the afternoon to provide a warm place for Islanders in need of shelter. The Province has offered support to assist. 

Integrated support services 

• The Province will continue to offer case management services to individuals currently staying at emergency shelters (when permitted by the shelter.) 
• The Province continues to support Downtown Charlottetown Inc’s (DCI) Navigator Street Outreach program. The Navigator Street Outreach program provides homeless and street-involved individuals with support to address barriers to securing and maintaining employment and housing, support to navigate services around health, mental health and addictions support and partners with a variety of community agencies to ensure individuals receive the supports required to transition. 
• The Province and is also partnering with DCI to provide a centrally located space to allow individuals in need of bridging support services or who require access to a phone or computer to drop in and get help. The location will support the work of the Street Navigator. The province’s housing navigator, as well as social support workers, will also use the location to help connect Islanders with provincial programs and services. 

“DCI is so pleased to receive this level of support from our Government. The opportunity to participate in this new initiative is invaluable to our program and most especially the individuals whom rely on our services.”

-     Dawn Alan, Executive Director of Downtown Charlottetown Inc. 

Transportation support

• The Province will continue to partner with transportation providers to ensure that Islanders can get to supports and shelters as required. 
• The Province has provided a van to support the work of DCI’s Street Navigator. 

Supports for families in need

• The Province will continue to provide housing alternatives for families in need of shelter through hotel partnerships until more permanent and appropriate options are available for families.