What Is Supportive Housing?
“Supportive housing” refers to a spectrum of housing solutions that combines affordable housing with varying levels of on-site support services to meet an individual’s physical and mental health needs.
What differentiates “high support” housing?
House of Compassion offers high support housing, which is the most intensive form of supportive housing. High support housing typically includes specialized 24-hour on-site staff support, meal preparation, medication support, intensive case management services (offered through internal and/or external supports) and assistance with other daily living activities. High support housing also typically involves longer term tenancy, with a strong focus on the development of positive relationships and community integration.
Our House
Located at 169-171 1/2 Shaw Street, House of Compassion accommodates 13 women and 8 men. Each resident has a furnished private bedroom with a key entry door; washrooms and bathrooms are shared. Washers and dryers are available for resident use, with laundry products provided. There are several common areas on the first level and basement levels for resident use and the kitchen and dining room on the first floor serve as the central congregating area. We also have a front porch and a beautiful garden area in the back yard for residents to enjoy. The house is centrally located, is convenient to public transportation and streetcar service is available on both Queen Street and Dundas Street.
What We Offer:
- A safe, affordable, permanent and supportive home
- Staff on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Ongoing support with daily living activities
- Support in accessing rental assistance
- Advocacy and co-ordination of external supports
- Informal counseling, crisis prevention and intervention
- Healthy prepared meals, as well as support with meal planning
- Support with medication compliance
- Housekeeping services
- Mail, telephone, internet, fax and television services
- In addition to the above, all residents of House of Compassion are provided with the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of social recreational activities, such as visual arts programming, music programming, health education and regular community celebrations.
Our Culture of Care
At House of Compassion we believe that wellness is encouraged through stability, support and the realization of personal hopes, dreams and aspirations. We strive to provide a positive, respectful environment that understands the unique needs of each resident. In supporting individuals on their personal journey towards optimal wellness, House of Compassion holds recovery and person-centered support as core principles which promote the concepts of self-determination, choice, citizenship and community integration.
We believe that an improved quality of life requires emotional and physical well being, a sense of belonging, proper support and hope for the future.
Making A Difference
Research overwhelmingly indicates that supportive housing is a foundation of stability for people who live with mental illness, and is key to achieving Ontario’s goal of ending chronic homelessness. We believe that differences are made when a resident’s story changes. Stories of moving away from feelings of shame and stigma and towards feelings of dignity and hope, from a life of chaos and fear to a life of stability and safety, from unrelenting isolation to a sense of community.
Some Of The Benefits That Our Residents Experience Include:
- An increased sense of safety, security and stability
- Decreased feelings of social isolation and an increased sense of belonging
- An increased recognition of personal strengths and assets
- Improved physical and mental health
Broader Impact
House of Compassion’s model of care greatly minimizes the risk to our residents of experiencing homelessness and/or institutionalization and helps to reduce the use of costly systems, such as hospital emergency rooms. Our model of care also allows for residents to age in the community (i.e. ‘age in place’) where appropriate supports can be provided.
Furthermore, our model of care allows family members and friends of our residents to remain involved in their loved ones lives, while alleviating many of the pressures that some caregivers can experience.
Finally, we help to create welcoming and diverse neighbourhoods by demonstrating a model for successful community integration and one which fosters positive relationships to and with the broader community.