House of Friendship receives $100K to support addictions and substance use treatment services

The House of Friendship will receive $100,000 to support its addictions and substance use treatment services, it was announced Thursday.

Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris and Kitchener South-Hespeler MPP Amy Fee made the announcement, which comes after the Ontario government said it would provide an additional $176 million this year to help expand access for critical mental health and addictions supports during COVID-19.

Tara Groves-Taylor, director of addiction services at House of Friendship, says the extra funding "will support an additional 100 people who have addiction concerns, providing evidence-based interventions that allow these individuals to return to their families and employment, and enjoy a better quality of life."

Fee says each year House of Friendship offers hope and help to individuals and families across Waterloo region who are impacted by poverty or addiction by "working with those who need food, housing, substance use treatment, or support in low-income neighbourhoods."

The investment will help in several priority areas, including:

• Community-based services in English and French, including services for children and youth.
• Mental health and justice services.
• Supportive housing for individuals with serious mental health and addiction challenges, and who are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
• Community and residential addictions, including treatment and care for opioid addictions.
• Increased supports for Indigenous peoples, families, and communities.
• More hospital in-patient beds for mental health and addiction patients.