Opposition wants update on how province plans to help Islanders who are homeless

P.E.I.'s Official Opposition is demanding details about how the provincial government plans to improve services for Islanders who don't have a secure and affordable place to live.

About eight months ago, the government published a report called Enhancing the System of Care, produced by Carlene Donnelly. She had been brought on as a special adviser to former premier Dennis King to help develop a "client-centred" model of care for those facing homelessness.

"The report had a lot of timelines in it that had six months to implement them and we don't know, we have no idea where the province is. There has been very little communication with the public," Liberal MLA Gord McNeilly said in an interview.

"I know some things have been put in place, which would be positive, but the lack of communication… [on] where the province is going, is anybody's guess at this point."

Some of the recommendations in the report included:

• Improving access to appropriate primary care, mental health care and addictions help. 
• Adopting a prevention philosophy.
• Building a model of care for people with complex needs.
• Improving the co-ordination of services.
• Developing more options for housing.

Among other things, the report highlighted a need for a better plan to help people during extreme weather events: "A contingency plan should be developed for these situations with the caveat that warming centres are not a solution to address homelessness."

The report suggests establishing a "Complex Care Centre" to offer both physical and mental health support to people without housing, asking the government to establish a "possible permanent location" for such a complex this year.

McNeilly questioned whether a report was even needed to understand the issues facing Islanders who are experiencing homelessness or struggling with mental health or addictions issues.

"A standing committee went on the road, did four different sessions across the province, gave recommendations to this government and they were ignored," he said. "The report says nothing new at all."

An emergency overnight shelter and Community Outreach Centre are operating on a provincial site on Charlottetown's Park Street, but McNeilly argues that isn't the right location.

"They've built what appears to be a compound, you know, voluntary or not. It's in one location, it's blocked off, it's saying: 'You aren't worthy enough of our society; here's where you are going to be.'

"That's no way to live," the MLA said, adding that services should be available 24 hours a day, for one thing.

The province has applied to the City of Charlottetown to keep the shelter and outreach services in the Park Street area, though provincial officials have consistently said the location is temporary. If the application is approved, the services would be allowed to remain in the area indefinitely, without the province having to reapply.

At a January public meeting, many who live in the area said they believe the presence of the Community Outreach Centre and shelter are contributing to loitering, property damage, theft and open drug use, among other issues.

In February, Charlottetown's planning board accepted a recommendation by city staff that outreach and shelter services shouldn't continue at the Park Street location. That led Minister of Housing, Land and Communities Steven Myers to write to Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown.

"We have asked the city to work with us — to offer suggested locations, to adequately address the needs of those experiencing insecure housing conditions through your official plan and zoning and development bylaw — and have been met with silence," Myers wrote.

You need to get this out of one central location into various parts so people are supported when they need the services the most.— MLA Gordon McNeilly

Council is expected to make its final decision on the provincial application later this month.

However, Myers said in the legislature last year that the outreach centre isn't moving regardless of city council's decision.

McNeilly said that wasn't appropriate or respectful. 

"The standing committee recommendations are clear: You need to decentralize this. You need to get this out of one central location into various parts so people are supported when they need the services the most."

CBC News has asked for an interview about how the province is responding to the report, and what if anything has been implemented. Officials with the Department of Housing, Land and Communities haven't made anyone available for an interview.

When the report was released, some changes had already been made. For example, the intake process improved when the Community Outreach Centre moved from Euston Street to Park Street.

"The COC has a new intake process, which will give them better data as to what the root issues are of each person. Using this data, we can address these issues with programs and services throughout the city," the report reads.

Last year, an area was set up at the outreach centre specifically for a new 11-week life management program. As well, the centre has been providing access to a physician, with a primary-care clinic at the outreach centre since May 2024. There is also regular nursing care at the centre.

Another recommendation around access to health care focuses on people not getting into detox programs quickly enough. How patients are discharged after they receive treatment could also be improved, according to the report.

McNeilly sees struggles when it comes to getting into detox programs, he said.

"We do not have the space or the capacity to help people — and especially when they are dealing with more severe things, they have to go off Island. There is no support there, is what people are telling me," the MLA said, adding he knows staff delivering detox programs are doing the best they can.

As for housing, the report suggests the government dive deeper into developing a housing strategy and give more support helping Islanders with complex needs transition to stable homes. 

On a related note, the Rural Municipality of Miltonvale Park has received an application for an affordable housing project between Miltonvale Community Park and the Provincial Correctional Centre just off Sleepy Hollow Road. That land is owned by the province.

Right now, buildings that used to sit on the premises of Royalty Maples Motel and Cottages have been placed on the land, with a public meeting about the application scheduled for March 18.

CBC News has been asking the province for an interview about that project for months, but no one has been made available.