"What we're trying to build is this continuum of care out from the hospital, where people can be discharged to a safe and stable setting that is their home," Dr. Andrew Boozary, executive director of the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine at UHN, stated. This initiative aims to provide a structured pathway for those transitioning from hospital care back into community living, ensuring they have stability in their living arrangements, which is crucial for their overall recovery and wellbeing.
Dr. Boozary also emphasized, "The treatment for the homelessness crisis is housing and, beyond housing, there needs to be these health and social supports in place." This highlights the importance of not just providing shelter but also ensuring that residents have access to necessary healthcare and social services, creating a holistic approach to tackling homelessness.
In discussing the urgency and need for this project, Boozary noted, "We lost a number of people who've been coming in and out of the hospital at UHN in hopes of trying to help them move in, but they didn't live to see this day... this is the reality of the mortality and morbidity facing people who are unhoused." This reflects the dire circumstances surrounding homeless individuals and the pressing necessity for dedicated facilities to provide immediate support.
Toronto, like many communities large and small across the country, is dealing with a surge in homelessness, driven in part by the high cost of living, mental health struggles and the opioid addiction crisis. This statement outlines the broader socioeconomic factors contributing to the homelessness issue, which necessitates not just housing but comprehensive solutions that address underlying causes.
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