Holmes House Addiction Supportive Housing (ASH) Program finds permanent home in Simcoe

(On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Ashton Drive to celebrate the opening of the Holmes House Addiction Supportive Housing (ASH) Program’s new location. The event was led by Mayor Amy Martin, Councillor Alan Duthie, Sarah Page from Health, Social Services, and Housing, as well as representatives from Norfolk General Hospital/Holmes House, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Haldimand-Norfolk Housing Corporation.)

(SIMCOE) – The Holmes House Addiction Supportive Housing (ASH) program in Simcoe has secured a permanent new home, thanks to an innovative partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association, Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Branch (CMHA), the Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation (HNHC), Norfolk County, and Norfolk General Hospital (NGH). This proud partnership helps to address the growing homelessness and addiction crisis in our community, providing a beacon of hope for individuals seeking recovery.

The new home, located on Ashton Drive in Simcoe, offers individuals up to a year of intensive support for addiction recovery and housing. The ASH program is designed to assist people who have completed a 21-day detox with an affordable place to live. Through the ASH program, individuals receive counseling, education, employment skills, and homelessness prevention.

The semi-detached home on Ashton Drive, owned by the HNHC, provides up to eight supportive housing units for people in post-addiction recovery. The HNHC will own and manage the property.

“I’m excited about this project,” said Matt Bowen, CEO of HNHC. “When I joined HNHC, one of the priorities set by our board was to create meaningful and impactful partnerships. As a community housing provider, we have experienced, caring staff and assets, and today demonstrates our ability to utilize them. This is just the start. We have a lot of capacity and need to reshape the way we think about health innovation in the future. Today was a step forward in that direction.”

“Our collaboration with NGH and all of our amazing community partners marks a significant step forward in our dedication to improving the well-being of our entire community, said Sarah Page, General Manager, Health and Social Services of Haldimand-Norfolk. “By integrating our expertise, resources, and shared passion for helping others, we can make a significant difference in the lives of people seeking a way out of addiction and homelessness by providing them with the support and housing they need to recover and move toward a brighter future.”

This program has been extremely successful in supporting people from addiction to recovery. You can read about Jenna’s journey to recovery here.

“The supports provided through the ASH program will continue to have tremendous life-changing impacts on the health and well-being of individuals on their road to recovery at Holmes House,” said Jennifer Edwards, Interim Director of Holmes House. “I am so impressed by how these valued partnerships came together, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing the long-standing gaps in housing and addiction services throughout Norfolk County.”

The CMHA greatly appreciates the partnership and is especially thankful for HNHC’s efforts to fund and secure a location during this critical time.

Media Contact:

Aaron Gautreau
Director of Communications & Public Relations
Norfolk General Hospital
519-426-0130 ext. 2454