Addiction and Mental Health Services – Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (AMHS-KFLA) recently marked the official completion of a capital build designed to ‘enable the provision of a specialized rehabilitation program that will better support clients in their recovery journey’.
AMHS-KFLA, in partnership with the City of Kingston, says it can now expanded their ability to support more clients with serious mental illness in the community, allowing them access to specialized rehabilitation supports with 24/7 wrap-around care.
The capital project was initiated in 2012 and the building designed with advanced both accessibility and efficiency features, including a geothermal system designed to reduce the carbon footprint and yield a 40 per cent savings from that of conventional ones.
A ribbon cutting and viewing of the new 43-unit state-of-the-art building took place August 28 with AMHS-KFLA Supervisor Karen Berti joined by members of the agency’s care team and its partners.
“This build provides clients access to their own apartment-style living unit, with wrap around support from our multi-disciplinary care teams to help build skills that will enable them to transition successfully, in their own time, to a more independent living setting,” Berti said. “It is here, family members will know their loved ones will be better supported in their recovery journey than in the current residential group home setting.”
The City of Kingston and @amhskfla celebrated the opening of a new multi-unit apartment building on Lyons Street. With shared provincial/federal funding, this new facility has 43 one-bedroom units for residents experiencing mental illness and support during their recovery. #ygk pic.twitter.com/s71RgGRjVy
— City of Kingston (@cityofkingston) August 28, 2019
Also in attendance were Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson, Mark Gerretsen, MP Kingston and the Islands, Randy Hillier, MPP Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston and Kate Betts-Wilmott representing Ian Arthur, MPP Kingston and the Islands along with representatives from the City of Kingston’s Housing and Social Services Department and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
“Housing is a top priority for Council and of real importance to all our residents. We’re looking at innovative ways to address the pressure on our housing market,” said Mayor Paterson at the event. “This building is inspiring and exactly the sort of innovation we need! These units will house an underserved population, those with serious mental illness, and include 24-hour care among other specially designed features. Thrilled to see this supportive housing project complete!”
Photo – ribbon cutting: Hannah Ellsworth
