ESTEVAN - Saskatchewan residents now have access to newly-renovated addiction treatment spaces in Estevan, following a $950,000 investment from the federal and provincial governments.
Sean Fraser, federal Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities; Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Gene Makowsky; and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Tim McLeod announced the completion of renovations and opening of the St. Joseph's Addiction Recovery Centre's housing units.
The investment was made through the Canada Community Housing Initiative. Through SHC, the Estevan Housing Authority provided St. Joseph's Addiction Recovery Centre with the multi-unit apartment building.
This project provides post-treatment housing to 32 individuals who have completed inpatient addiction treatment and require supportive housing for a period of time to maintain and strengthen the gains made during treatment. Funding for the post-treatment spaces was announced by the province earlier this year as part of a commitment to add 150 addictions spaces.
Through the renovation and repurposing of underutilized housing units, these new spaces will provide housing and connection to services to improve long-term recovery success.
Residents have access to addictions programming and supports from St. Joseph's Addiction Recovery Centre staff through partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The spaces are open to residents from across Saskatchewan.
"The federal government is working with partners across the country to provide safe, affordable homes for those who need them the most," said Fraser. "I am proud that we could support a project which will give 32 people a stable new home where they can continue their recovery and start their next chapter."
"The Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation are proud to support St. Joseph's Addiction Recovery Centre in the transition of 32 units to support addictions programming in Estevan," Makowsky said. "Positive partnerships are essential to effectively meet the needs of the people we serve today and anticipate the needs of the future. We will continue working with our community partners to provide greater access to housing and supports for individuals who need more than a home to stay connected to housing."
"Saskatchewan residents will now have better access to the care they need to recover from addiction challenges," McLeod said. "These new post-treatment spaces at St. Joseph's Addiction Recovery Centre are part of the Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to adding 150 addiction treatment spaces across the province, a commitment we recently increased to a new target of adding 500 total addiction treatment spaces over the next five years."
The addictions treatment centre first opened at St. Joseph's Hospital in the fall of 2020.
