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CAMHblog > Posts > CAMH celebrates innovative private-sector housing partnership
  • CAMH celebrates innovative private-sector housing partnership
    Posted by Susan Pigott|Dec 03, 2012


    Last week we celebrated a significant achievement in improving the lives of people with complex mental illness who are in need of supportive housing. The official re-opening of the apartment tower at 1011 Lansdowne Ave, is the result of an innovative housing partnership between CAMH, Lansdowne Property Management (LPM), Madison Community Services and the City of Toronto. Through this partnership, we are providing a safe and supported transition for 20 long-stay CAMH clients to independent bachelor apartments. 

    The CAMH Community Support and Research Unit (CSRU), Schizophrenia Program and Madison Community Services are working together to improve community integration by acknowledging the unique needs of our clients and providing necessary supports for a successful transition from hospital. Madison Community Services provides high support in the building, CAMH provides clinical out-patient services, and peer support workers help clients participate in activities of daily living, including shopping, cooking, and recreational activities.  

    1011-Lansdowne_community-room.jpg
                                   A view of the group kitchen space in the new Community Room at 1011 Lansdowne Ave.


    When first announced, Toronto media columnists were skeptical of our partnership with LPM, concerned that the building was unredeemable and CAMH clients were unsafe. The recent transformation of the building is remarkable.  In addition to the physical renovations, LPM Property Manager Roslyn Brown has invested in helping to create a community at 1011 Lansdowne.  Free of charge, LPM has built a program space for CAMH clients. This new space includes a kitchen, lounge, group dining area, computer access, and office space.

    IMG_1011-Lansdowne.jpg
    The whiteboard in the Community Room features the weekly menu and group activities like ice skating.
    The quote at the top of the board reads, "A weakness is a strength not yet developed."
     

    Finding safe, clean affordable housing with additional supports that our clients with complex mental illnesses require is an ongoing challenge. It takes partnerships with committed agencies like Madison and property owners like LPM to provide this critical component of recovery.

    Supportive housing is of great benefit to clients and the mental health and addictions system because it improves flow within the system.  It helps support clients who no longer need the acute care offered by a hospital to transition safely into the community. It also frees up much needed hospital beds for those who do require acute care.

    This partnership is a new model that we hope other property owners will explore. As the project at 1011 Lansdowne shows us, when agencies come together, novel solutions to housing needs are achievable.

    More about 1011 Lansdowne from the Toronto Star:


Comments:

Comments

Ellen Frei

Dear Susan,
This is on behalf of a friend who lives on Gloucester Street. My home is on Front St E, between Church and Jarvis - it's not about me.
She mentioned being harassed by a man who lives in her building and that she did not think she could contact the police, as ''she has no evidence''. She feels quite unsafe and does her best to avoid encounters with him. I think the man is a menace, on his way to worse actions. Whom should she turn to?
I would appreciate a suggestion, which I'll pass on to my friend after her return in the New Year.
Merry Christmas and a happy 2013,
Ellen Frei
 on 12/18/2012 10:40 AM

CAMH

Hi Pamela - the partnership that supports CAMH clients at 1011 Lansdowne currently exists between our schizophrenia program and Madison Community Services. If you would like more information, you can contact the Community Support and Research Unit (416) 535-8501 ext. 2068. ConnexOntario also has a free, 24/7 problem gambling helpline: http://www.problemgamblinghelpline.ca/
 on 12/10/2012 12:13 PM

pamela

give me information on the home i am in community living south muskako grouphome for dual diguinouses i find i got more with mental health and addicction with gambeling need services badley i have gambled like 80dollarrs to hundered a month need help with that this grouphome cant provide that services just more delays delvmenatl delays wait for you to emamil me back thanks
 on 12/8/2012 4:27 PM

francois g.

Thank you
Merry Christman and a Happy New Year
in good health.
 on 12/7/2012 6:49 AM

annick

Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee  Francois
 on 12/6/2012 7:11 PM

Susan Pigott

Hi Francois – thank you very much for sharing your experience as a resident in the new building. I’m so glad to hear that the support programs are working well for you. I wish you well in your continued recovery!
 on 12/6/2012 1:42 PM

Susan Pigott

Hi Steve and Annick – thank you for reading and commenting on the post. We’ve connected with management at 1011 Lansdowne and a new extractor fan is scheduled to be installed this week.  
 on 12/6/2012 1:37 PM

Francois

I am a client of CAMH housed at 1011 for one year now. I enjoy living
there. With the support of Madison staff and CAMH it is working well.
It has not always been easy this past year, but I made it thru.
So far, it has been the best housing that I have been at.
 on 12/6/2012 7:26 AM

annick.aubert

Thank you Steve, I had not noticed, that is why families we should take note, we want this project to work work work .
 on 12/5/2012 7:07 PM

steve

It doesnt have a range hood in the kitchen. thats not good or safe
 on 12/5/2012 11:29 AM
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