A project in Chatham-Kent (CK) has received an award at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference held in Ottawa.
Mayor Darrin Canniff announced that the Municipality of Chatham-Kent was honored with a P. J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award for the Pathways on Park Transitional Cabin Project located in Chatham.
This award highlights exceptional initiatives that are changing communities throughout Ontario.
Mayor Canniff expressed gratitude to AMO for acknowledging the efforts taking place in Chatham-Kent, stating that he feels proud to see CK recognized at the provincial level.
“A proud moment for Chatham-Kent at the AMO Conference,” said Canniff. “This is a great recognition for our community. Tackling big challenges takes people working together. This award is a credit to our Council, Administration, and everyone who worked hard to bring this project to life.”
Each year, up to three awards are given out to those submissions that best meet all of the award’s criteria.
The Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award honors one of Ontario’s youngest and most creative municipal finance commissioners.
This award recognizes municipal governments that demonstrate excellence through innovative methods aimed at enhancing capital and/or operating efficiency as well as effectiveness via alternative service delivery initiatives and partnerships.
The goal of the award is to showcase cases where municipalities in Ontario have implemented new, cost-effective ways of providing public services and facilities with tangible outcomes.
“Pathways on Park is a great example of how municipalities can effectively partner with community agencies to deliver timely, person-centred housing solutions while maximizing existing assets and public investment,” said AMO President Robin Jones. “We were very impressed that the project repurposed an existing municipal property into safe, supportive transitional housing units when it is so critically needed.”
The transitional cabins project hasn’t been without its share of controversy. One woman shared her difficult experience living there with Council back in November.
The municipality noted Pathways on Park recently completed its first full year of operation, offering transitional housing along with around-the-clock support for people experiencing homelessness while assisting participants in their journey toward stable, long-term housing.
Since it opened, the program has supported 126 unique individuals, including 12 unaccompanied youth and 11 seniors aged 65 and older, according to municipal officials.
It has also made accommodations for 16 dogs so residents can stay with their pets during this time, they mentioned.
Administration reported that 28 participants have successfully transitioned from Pathways on Park into long-term housing, noting that 93 percent remain housed after moving out.
The average length of stay at Pathways on Park is about 81 days, staff indicated.
Pathways on Park features 50 individual transitional cabins along with shared amenities and access to case management available around the clock.Participants receive tailored support connecting them with housing services, life-skills programming, mental health and addiction supports, along with other community resources.
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