The Safe Beds Program run by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Windsor-Essex County Branch is helping people experiencing homelessness avoid incarceration and unnecessary hospitalization.
The small four-bed facility provides intensive support for people battling mental health or addiction issues.
"We're a short-term crisis accommodation support program. We're providing support for people in the community that are experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis while also experiencing homelessness and having direct contact with police," said Zoey Azlen Safe Beds Program Supervisor.
Police are the main referral source to the program.
"While people are here, it's about a 30-day stay where we are working on a multitude of things, whatever brings that individual into our program. We're working on the mental health and addictions piece," said Azlen.
The goal is to stabilize the initial crisis, connect individuals to community supports, and secure a stable housing option by their date of discharge.
Since the program became a 24-hour supported facility in the fall of 2022 its helped around 100 people.
A former client, who did not want to be identified, said he is very grateful for the experience.
"I'd probably be homeless, maybe using, I probably, definitely, wouldn't have my job. It was a great experience and I'm happy for it," said the 39-year-old.
The CMHA-WECB indicated there is room at the facility for a small expansion however they want to keep the program small so they can continue to offer wrap-around support to all of their clients.