In May, LMDM and the HHS team launched the Semi- Supported Living Program at the American Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Although the program is still in the early and active development stages, the goal is to provide individualized supports for 38 participants to eventually obtain and maintain stable housing, and acquire the life skills necessary to live independently. With the support of the Orange Hall Team, eligible participants are identified through the supportive housing stream with the intention of transitioning people along the housing continuum. When participants are ready to ‘graduate,’ staff work with each person to identify an appropriate housing plan, whether that’s independent living at one of our directly managed properties, a co-op or market renting. So far, we have welcomed 12 people into the program and will continue to fill any vacancies at the American. We are also excited to soon be expanding the program to two additional of our directly managed hotels, the Station and Thornton Hotels located beside the American hotel, which means spaces for another 48 participants. A determined effort has been made to ensure cultural traditions are incorporated into the program. In September, to recognize Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, two Indigenous elders were invited to the Learning Centre to hold a smudging ceremony to cleanse and purify the body and spirit, and to show participants how to create their own traditional medicine bag. Vancouver Coastal On the Path to Independent Living
Operation’s 2021 – a year in review
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