Chatham-Kent council has approved transferring the former long-term care facility at 110 Sandys Street in Chatham to The Quiring Foundation.
Council donated the property on Monday evening for $1. The Foundation will begin turning the building into a Phase 2 addiction treatment and recovery facility in the fall.
The Foundation will assume responsibility for implementing the proposed programming, including staffing, resident support, maintenance, capital improvements, ongoing property stewardship, operating costs, and compliance with any applicable agreements, approvals, licences or regulatory requirements.
The municipality also stipulates the property must be used only for addictions treatment and recovery for a yet-to-be-defined period of time sufficient to benefit the public. However, the municipality can take back the property at no cost if the treatment and recovery facility stops operating within the defined time.
According to administration, the Foundation can't mortgage, grant security against the property, or transfer the property without the municipality's consent.
The municipality bought the former Meadow Park Long-Term Care Home for $1.7 million to turn it into affordable housing, but plans changed along the way.
The municipality wants to designate the proposed Foundation facility as a Municipal Capital Facility at the appropriate time to exempt it from paying taxes.
"This is not a drop-in center, it's not an encampment. These are people who want to recover. They want the services. The intent is to be part of the community," said Chief Administrative Officer Michael Duben.
He touched on the fact that those in the area may see this as a negative for the neighbourhood.
“At every moment we get, we have those discussions with the foundation, and they’ve assured us that, look, that just simply is not the case. If anything, they expect to better the community,” Duben continued.
Council passed the donation of 110 Sandy Street to the Quiring Foundation 17 to zero.
The Foundation also wants 55 Croydon Street in Chatham donated, but it's still in the process of developing detailed plans for that proposal.
The proposed model includes:
A stabilization and assessment program of up to 30 days designed to support individuals after detoxification and before entry into a longer structured recovery program
A safe, supportive, and supervised environment during the stabilization period where individuals can rest, receive basic care, be connected with appropriate supports, and participate in assessment of their needs, readiness, willingness, and most appropriate recovery pathway
A structured recovery and personal development program of up to 90 days, delivered using a trauma-informed approach and focused on healing, routine, accountability, life skills, personal growth, and preparation for the next stage of recovery
The Foundation’s longer-term vision is to create a coordinated pathway from crisis response to stability, recovery, reintegration, and long-term independence in seven stages:
1. Outreach and Identification – building relationships with individuals in need, identifying barriers, and connecting individuals with immediate support and appropriate entry points into care
2. Stabilization and Assessment (up to 30 days) – providing a bridge between detoxification and treatment, with assessment of individual needs, risks, readiness, and recovery goals
3. Structured Recovery and Personal Development (up to 90 days) – supporting healing, routine, accountability, coping strategies, personal development, and preparation for reintegration
4. Transitional Housing and Reintegration (12 to 18 months) – providing a bridge from structured recovery to greater independence, with continued support as individuals stabilize their daily routines and reconnect with community.
