A homeless response line in Chatham-Kent has earned a provincial honour for innovation.
The project provides immediate assistance to homeless Chatham-Kent residents.
Valerie Colasanti, Chatham-Kent director of employment and social services, says there's a shortage of emergency housing in the community and a collaborative effort is needed.
Colasanti says the line is very unique to Chatham-Kent.
"Chatham-Kent covers a huge geographic area and it would be impossible to have emergency shelters in every single community. So, rather than have shelters or build anything with bricks and mortar, we came up with the idea of having a response line that's already answered by staff that are working the 24 hour days," says Colasanti.
The service began in August of 2014, has answered 450 calls from 247 individuals and has provided 312 emergency stays.
The line at 519-354-6628 is answered Monday to Friday from 4:30pm to 8:30am and 24 hours a day on weekends and holidays.
Colasanti says social services workers are able to instantly help homeless people over a very large area.
"They're able to route people to either stay with family and friends or to be able to stay in a local motel and then in the morning, the wrap services are provided. They go to either the Salvation Army or our office, Employment and Social Services, or Mental Health Network or whatever they might need," Colasanti says.
Colasanti says no one should be alone and homeless.
"Our winters are very harsh and our summers can be quite hot as well. No one should be without a place to stay. So, it`s wonderful that we're able to provide people with immediate housing and put the services that they need in place the next day," says Colasanti.