A Guelph building that suffered much wear and tear for 20 years providing support for homeless youth is getting a much-needed makeover.
On Tuesday, MP Lloyd Longfield and MPP Mike Harris announced $1.2 million to renovate and expand Bellevue Supportive Housing on 51 Bellevue St. (owned by Wyndham House) which includes eight independent living spaces.
“It's just so good to see Wyndham House continuing the work that they do, and then getting some support to do even more for our community,” said Longfield.
Bellevue Supportive Housing has had 100 per cent occupancy since it opened 21 years ago caring for hundreds of youth between the ages of 16 and 24. Wyndham House has been constantly trying to fundraise to renovate the building.
Expected to be constructed early next year, MPP Harris said the existing facility will be reconfigured and be built at the rear. Each independent bachelor unit will have a three-piece bathroom, sleeping area, a microwave, mini-fridge and a separate entrance. The building will have a large communal living room, a kitchen, a meeting room and a laundry room.
Harris said young people who live there will have access to support services like counselling life skills to help them build a more secure life.
At the announcement, Warden Kelly Linton of the Township of Centre Wellington highlighted the work Wyndham House has done in Guelph and Wellington County over the years.
“Together we've made incredible strides towards our goal of ending youth homelessness. In 2018, there were 51 homeless youth across wealth and Wellington County. In May of this year, there were 11 homeless youths. That's still 11 to many, but it represents a 78 per cent reduction in chronic youth homelessness,” said Linton.
He said the government funding will provide capital for renovation, help the project remain sustainable in the long term and minimize the need for debt financing.
It will also provide on staff intensive case management in Wyndham house 24/7, clinical support, urgent mental health support that includes substance abuse, use issues, eviction prevention and independent living skills acquisition.
“A large percentage of our adult homeless population first experience homelessness before adulthood. That's why eliminating chronic youth homelessness is so important. Early intervention is critical,” said Linton.
“Projects like Bellevue Supportive Housing help us better serve our country's our county's most vulnerable and in turn will make a long-lasting positive impact on the homeless serving system in Guelph and Wellington County.”
The funding is part of the National Housing strategies joint agreement between the governments of Canada and Ontario.
