A coalition of several local social service organizations is continuing efforts to receive ongoing provincial financial support to provide a continuum of care model to help people overcome addiction and mental health issues.
After extensive community consultation, the group has submitted a letter of intent to apply for recently announced HART Hub funding.
The province will provide money for primary care, mental health and addiction services, shelter and transition beds, and other services in 19 locations initially.
Lisa Ali, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association, Hastings and Prince Edward, told Hastings County Council Thursday this area desperately needs services.
“This will be the sixteenth application for Hastings-Prince Edward for funding for addictions care. We have been chronically under-funded for so long that there is a near total absence of services in our region.”
The group’s application must be approved by local municipalities before the deadline of October 18.
Previously, the organization submitted a plan for wrap-around services for the addicted and mentally ill on April 5. There was no response from the province. The HART Hub plan was announced a few weeks ago.
In February Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis declared a state of emergency after 17 overdoses occurred in just 24 hours, overwhelming emergency services.
That declaration brought national media attention to the city and visits from provincial cabinet ministers promising better.
Currently, work continues on renovations to the former Banquet Centre on Alhambra Square in Belleville to eventually provide food, a warming room, and other services to those in need.
The city has invested around $4 million into that project.