The new supportive housing project is in addition to RVHS’ Phase 1 Housing called Gatesview, in Scarborough, accommodating six patients. The housing project, started construction in the fall of 2006, at the corner of Ellesmere and Neilson in Scarborough, will replace the use of apartments in Scarborough. The supportive housing will increase RVHS’ accommodation capacity from 14 to 30 units.

Our new supportive housing will offer one-stop shopping for our residents: housing for 30 people; clinical support; psycho-social care; rehabilitation; residential counselling and more. We are finally filling that need.

Residents living there will receive several services including:

• Clinical care for major depression, bipolar and other illnesses (no criminal cases);
• Rehabilitation counselling;
• Residential counselling, including training in life skills (ie. banking, cooking)

Unique Partnership

This uniquely funded project involves a partnership between the Federal Government for Supporting Community Partnership Initiatives (SCPI) funding, the City of Toronto for the leased land, a 20-year property tax exemption and waived development fees and charges, and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for the original operating funds for this project. The 2.8 acre parcel of land has been leased from the City of Toronto at the nominal cost of $2 for 50 years.

The government support is what makes this project both innovative and viable. Thanks to the city, the federal government’s SCPI funding and the RVHS Mental Health Community Advisory Board, Rouge Valley is able to proceed with the initiative.

Townhouse style

It will be an ordinary townhouse complex with an enclosed area for our residents.

Located at the southeast corner of Ellesmere and Neilson Road adjacent Seven Oaks Long Term Care Facility, our supportive housing initiative will offer:

• 30 units of stacked townhouses, in two rows of 14 and 16 units each;
• 30,000 square feet - including 18,000 for housing, 3,500 for common areas including TV room, lounge, office, dinning room, and 7,500 for an adjoining clinic;
• High support housing;
• Plus beautiful landscaping.

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Mental Health at Rouge Valley

The Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) Mental Health Program offers a complete range of services to meet the unique needs of those experiencing mental health issues. Clients can be referred to one of our psychiatrists by their family physician or through the Emergency Department. Together the psychiatrist, clients and perhaps a family member or significant other (with client permission) will discuss the resources available and choose the most helpful and least intrusive option for care. Services are available at both hospitals of the Rouge Valley Health System.

Other Rouge Valley community mental health sites:

Gatesview House

Our Gatesview House offers permanent supportive housing for the seriously mentally ill, who would often otherwise be homeless. Located on a quiet, residential street, Gatesview House looks like any other family home and has been accepted into the neighbourhood because Rouge Valley’s staff has kept the community informed and involved in its development.

The house accommodates six adults - each with his/her own room while sharing common areas including the kitchen and living room. While turnover of patients is not frequent people do make progress, become more independent and move on. There is also the option to move into one of the 30 individual units that we have in the community.

Patients are referred to Gatesview by a physician, caseworker or from hostels.

Gatesview and Phase Two have proven successful in reducing site stays because of the professional daily-living support they receive in this mental health service.

Community Progress

Rouge Valley’s Community Progress offers a long-term day program to adult outpatients with serious mental illness. The five-day-a-week program is located in Scarborough offering adults support in daily life skills, socializing and leisure. Community Progress clients are referred by a psychiatrist at our Centenary hospital site.

Community Progress offers clients:

• Education about their illness;
• Rehabilitation counselling;
• Social and recreational activity;
• Work activity;
• Groups on self-esteem, health and wellness;
• And more.

Shoniker Clinic

Rouge Valley’s Shoniker Clinic offers outpatient mental health treatment for children up to the age of 18 living in the Scarborough, Pickering and Ajax communities.