Chatham-Kent Council is exploring options for potential supportive housing at two properties in Chatham.
At their June 22 meeting, council members heard a presentation from the Peter and Cathy Quiring Foundation about their work with addiction and recovery and their plans to continue that work in Chatham-Kent.
The Quiring Foundation is a charitable organization based in Leamington, focused on funding and operating recovery support homes for those transitioning from crisis to long-term stability.
Councillors Lauren Anderson and Ryan Doyle put forth a motion for administration to create a report with options for council for the potential transfer of 110 Sandys Street and 55 Croydon Street to the Foundation.
Doyle has been vocal about the municipality’s lack of supportive housing options and has expressed interest in the former Meadow Park Nursing Home on Sandys Street being converted to a recovery home.
Council voted unanimously for administration to draft the report for their August 10 meeting, where council will vote on potentially transferring the two municipally owned properties to the Quiring Foundation.
“One of the biggest gaps in treatment and recovery…is that transitional period,” said Councillor Melissa Harrigan.
“After somebody has left the RAM Clinic and then they are waiting for longer term treatment and recovery options available to them in the community, there is no place for them to go. The likelihood of maintaining that that sobriety or maintaining that abstinence while they are waiting for programming really does decrease.”
The report from administration will be presented at the August 10 council meeting.