Community Outreach Centre operations could move as early as Saturday
CBC
P.E.I. Housing Minister Rob Lantz says the province's Community Outreach Centre could move to its new Park Street location as early as Saturday.
He says work has ramped up on site this week ahead of an inspection scheduled for Friday, which will determine whether the new location gets an occupancy permit.
"It's a monumental effort. [There's] a lot of tradespeople on site right now, it's still very much a construction site," Lantz told CBC News on Tuesday.
"I think this is a good move. It's going to help us serve this population better and give us a chance to take a look at how we deliver these services, both here in the city and across the province."
Lantz said if they don't get the occupancy permit upon first inspection, it will only delay the move by a day or two.
The provincial government promised the centre would move within 60 days of getting approval from the city, and it is on track to meet that target.
The Adventure Group will remain as the operator of the service in its new location.
The new space is made up of 14 modular units, which were delivered to the parking lot near the Park Street Emergency Shelter last month.
Lantz said the province and The Adventure Group will continue to work together to refine the service, but the new Park Street location will have security, a police presence, cameras, a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drug use on site and a new intake process.
When asked by reporters what a "zero-tolerance" policy would mean for those living with addictions, Lantz said he'd prefer to leave those questions for the operator, but he did draw the comparison to the policies at the Park Street Emergency Shelter.
"[It is] a low barrier shelter ... you certainly cannot use on the property there, but it does not turn away people who are intoxicated," he said.
"There is some discretion involved here. We are dealing with people with addictions, but certainly disruptive behaviour, anti-social behaviour, violence, none of those things will be tolerated."
Lantz said a senior advisor is also preparing a report for the province on how best to administer services to Islanders with complex needs.
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