Major announcement made by Mayor's Roundtable Action team

The Mayor’s Roundtable Action team has provided an update on issues affecting the homeless, addiction and mental health.

Co-chair Mary Davis says in June of next year they plan to open a transitional housing stabilization centre for those in need of support.

“That’s the creativeness of this model. It allows an individual to have secure housing in order to deal with the imminent issues they have,” she says.

She says the centre will provide mental health and addiction, housing supports and social services assistance to those in need whether it’s for one night or a longer period.

Davis says several community partners have come together by re-allocating funding.

“The Crisis Centre, Nipissing Mental Health Services, the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board, the city of North Bay, the Warming Centre and the Gatheirng Place,” she says.

It was also announced the two locations of The Warming Centre will be ready to open on Sunday with beds being transferred to a new site next year.

Executive Director Dennis Chippa says they will have paid staff at both locations.

“These are not just people we’re giving some money to. These are trained individuals to deal with things like the escalation techniques, first aid and potential overdose protocols,” he says.

As well, details on efforts to provide services for people with addiction issues will be unveiled in the middle of 2020.

Meantime, results of a survey were released.

Committee member Stacey Mayhall says the need for housing supports was the number one issue for the respondents but also the committee.

“We’re trying to figure out a way to assist people in finding stability in housing but also in service stability in mental health and addictions,” she says.

(photos by station staff)