Two announcements made last week will provide some much-needed support and better outcomes for people struggling with addiction, mental health or homelessness across Durham Region. “Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade has been advocating for these types of initiatives,” said Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade President Mil Patel, “most recently during a pre-budget consultation with Peter Bethlanfalvy, Pickering-Uxbridge MPP and Finance Minister.”
The province opened a Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in Whitby. It’s one of 28 set to open across the province and the first of two to open in Durham. The second HART Hub will open later this Spring in Oshawa. Wraparound services will be offered by a network of clinical, health care and social service agencies.
The Town of Ajax and the Region of Durham announced a proposal to build 50 supportive housing units in Ajax (northeast corner of Harwood Avenue South and Achilles Road) to support our community’s most vulnerable people. Supportive housing is long-term, permanent housing paired with wraparound supports tailored to residents’ needs and providing a safe space for a variety of people including seniors or adults with physical or cognitive disabilities.
The supportive housing project is being led by the Region of Durham, and it is subject to regional council approval and federal capital funding under Build Canada Homes, as well Ajax Council approval of a zoning by-law announcement.
“Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade applauds these initiatives as important responses to a complex and growing crisis,” said Mil. “We will continue to advocate for additional initiatives that provide additional support for those needing it, while easing the impacts for our business community and our community at large.”
