Wellington County has turned down a request for support through the county’s domiciliary hostel program for the Whitehouse Lodge in Harriston.
A privately-owned 16 bed home in Harriston, Whitehouse provides supportive living for adults with mental health, brain injury or developmental challenges. It changed ownership in 2013. In September, the new owners attended a meeting of the county’s the social services committee to request support for at least six residents. The committee referred the request to staff for consideration.
A report from the committee meeting on Nov. 12 notes in order for an operator to enter into a domiciliary hostels agreement with the county, they must meet the requirements of the approved Domiciliary Hostel Standards.
Currently the county has domiciliary hostels agreements with nine retirement homes, two transitional youth homes and two pregnancy centres.
The report notes county staff inspected the Whitehouse three times between August 2013 and October 2014, but despite some improvements it still didn’t meet the standards. As a result, staff recommended that the county not enter into an agreement with the lodge.
The report notes the facility is not the type typically supported through the program.
“The County of Wellington does not currently support group home type settings for individuals with more severe mental health issues or developmental disabilities under the domiciliary hostels program. A decision to provide financial support to clients residing in these types of … environments would represent a significant shift,” the report states.
Staff was to send a letter to Whitehouse Lodge owners detailing areas of deficiency.
