how can someone get healthy if they’re living on the street?

We know that the men and women we serve in our housing programs come to us with a variety of issues, such as mental health, addictions, brain injuries and learning disabilities.

Traditionally, people experiencing homelessness were expected to be “clean” and “housing ready” (free of addictions, behavioural problems or mental illness) before they were eligible to receive assistance in acquiring housing. But the reality is that people who need our services are in various stages of recovery and progress, and we have a duty to help all of them where we can, which is why the alex approaches its housing programs with a Housing First model.

The Housing First model turns traditional thinking upside down. We put people in housing first, support them and give them the resources to work on the issues that contributed to their homelessness – all from the safety and stability of their own home.

We believe that people don’t earn a right to housing – they have a right to housing. So a big part of our program is designed to help clients feel secure in the skills needed to maintain a home. Bank accounts, identification, medical and counselling support – whatever it takes – we help people with all their needs to find lasting solutions and to remain in safe, secure, permanent housing.