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McEwan Housing & Support Services
McEwan Housing and Support Services is a supportive housing and community support program for women and men, aged 16 and older, living with HIV or AIDS, who have mental health or substance abuse challenges or both, and are homeless or at risk of becoming so. It is the only housing program in Ontario dedicated to serving this highly vulnerable population, and one of only a very few in the world.
Through its Residential Program, McEwan offers a wheelchair-accessible, high-support residence for 10 people, a five-person low-support shared house and six independent apartment units, augmented by a Personal Support Program. An extensive Mental Health Community Support Program provides counseling, mental health and addiction support, advocacy, referral, network building and 24-hour crisis management to more than 100 clients living independently in the community.
The program is founded on principles of personal empowerment and self-management, and works toward the establishment of a network of community support for each client. A key element is the monthly social activities and outings that foster the building of a community of mutual support while providing a safe place to socialize free from stigma. Respectful of the strengths and needs of each individual, services are open-ended and flexible in intensity, responding as people’s needs change over time.
As new medications for HIV/AIDS have been introduced, the program has adapted its services. Although palliative care remains a necessary part of the program, there has been a growing emphasis on rehabilitative needs, including self-care, medication regimes, and household management. McEwan House also offers a Respite Program to its community support clients who need to stabilize from a physical or mental health crisis while maintaining their housing.
Through a new Addictions Supportive Housing program, McEwan is providing intensive case management for up to 32 individuals who are homeless, HIV+ and are experiencing significant substance abuse issues.
McEwan also hosts and leads the innovative and highly successful “Health and Home” Service Co-ordination Project. In association with 12 partner agencies, McEwan staff provides intensive one-on-one case management to homeless people with HIV/AIDS, mental health issues and addictions, who have been hospitalized. These specialized support services are helping some 30 people a year to stabilize and take control of their mental and physical health, find affordable housing, and successfully leave the street. |
