Chatham-Kent has taken a major step forward in providing a long-term solution to homelessness.
NeighbourLink, working with the municipality of Chatham-Kent, Employment and Social Services, Chatham Hope Haven, ROCK Missions, United Way, the building industry and many churches, has invited an organization called Indwell into the community to produce supportive housing for the homeless.
The goal is to make 150 new units available over the next five years in various centres around Chatham-Kent, where they are most needed, NeighbourLink officials say.
“The Chatham-Kent Indwell project is expected to be the most cost effective and sustainable solution to homelessness in our communities,” stated Harold Vander Ende, chair of the committee, in a media release.
Indwell (Indwell.ca) has a very high success rate in many communities in southern Ontario with a history of over 45 years of creating affordable housing communities that support people who have struggled to maintain housing – those with mental health challenges, addictions, or other challenges, NeighbourLink officials say.
Indwell has garnered the trust of many municipalities and the provincial government for their transformative work.
In early December the local committee set a fundraising target of $100,000 by March 1 to resource a champion to lead this project over the next two years.
This goal was exceeded by the end of January, NeighbourLink officials say.
The project committee members jumpstarted the campaign in the first two weeks by providing $20,000, and the remainder of the funding was raised through 50 donations out of 100 personal contacts, NeighbourLink officials say.
Several donations came in unsolicited by word of mouth.
This outpouring of generosity shows that Chatham-Kent has a kind and generous spirit and a heart for those less fortunate and in trouble, NeighbourLink officials say.
Indwell will be advertising for a new project launch manager in the coming weeks, and work will soon begin in earnest.
They will be challenging the Chatham-Kent community in the months ahead to donate several million dollars, which will be highly leveraged by government funding to reach their goal of producing 150 units within five years.
“NeighbourLink and Indwell urge the citizens of Chatham-Kent to join us with their financial support to provide hope to the homeless,” Vander Ende added.
NeighbourLink officials are asking the community to consider what you can do to help with this work to ensure everyone who lives in Chatham-Kent has secure housing.
Indwell is looking for property in Chatham to develop the first stage of 40-50 units, NeighbourLink officials added.
