McGuinty government improves supportive services for people with HIV/AIDS

The McGuinty government is providing people living with HIV/AIDS and frail seniors with 112 additional new supportive housing units in downtown Toronto, Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman announced today.

"This new housing unit will bring together people living with HIV/AIDS and Toronto seniors to create a unique new community," Smitherman said. "This project carries on a tradition of responsive, compassionate care in our downtown Toronto community." Smitherman announced $792,000 new operating funds to provide supportive housing services for 30 additional clients living with HIV/AIDS. Fife House currently offers services to 125 clients with HIV/AIDS at four sites.

The new building will also be the home of 75 frail elderly persons at risk of being homeless. "I am thrilled with this announcement by the minister of health," said Kyle Rae, Councillor, Toronto Centre-Rosedale. "I am very excited that all three levels of government are involved in creating supportive housing for the vulnerable in our community." Ruthann Tucker, Executive Director, Fife House added: "This is an extremely important announcement because it will allow us to reach out to more people living with HIV/AIDS including, for the first time, families." This new 112-unit apartment building will be located at the former Wellesley Hospital site.

The building - being developed by a group that includes Fife House, Woodgreen Community Centre and the Wellesley Central Health Corporation - is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2006. The Ontario government is providing $160,000 in operating funds to Fife House and $632,000 in operating funds to Woodgreen Community Centre.

Wellesley Central Health Corporation has requested capital funding for this initiative from the City of Toronto and the federal government through the Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI) fund.