Kawartha Lakes celebrates provincial support for new Community Integrated Care Hub in Lindsay

Kawartha Lakes, ON — The City of Kawartha Lakes is recognizing provincial support through the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) for the new Community Integrated Care Hub (CICH) at 22–24 Peel Street in Lindsay.

Parliamentary Assistant (PA) to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Matthew Rae, joined local partners at the CICH for an official announcement on April 7.

"It’s a testament to the strength of the partnership between the province, the City, and local organizations that we are able to deliver meaningful projects like the Community Integrated Care Hub for the local community in Kawartha Lakes,” said PA Rae. “By providing access to a safe shelter, health services and wraparound supports, this project exemplifies our government’s commitment to protecting all Ontarians, including our most vulnerable."

Led by the John Howard Society of the Kawarthas, the project is a 12-bed emergency shelter with drop-in and program space, located near key amenities. Construction began in April 2024. The day use drop-in space is now open, with the overnight shelter expected to open the week of April 13. The project supports Kawartha Lakes’ 10-year Housing and Homelessness Plan.

Through the Province’s HPP (2023–2024), the project received $850,000 toward property acquisition, along with additional support through the Building Faster Fund.

Kawartha Lakes contributed by waiving approximately $2,500 in application and permit fees, while community partners provided additional funding support. The United Way Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton contributed $5,000 through its Community Capacity Fund, and the Kawartha Community Foundation provided $8,000 through its Social Sustainability Fund.

“The City appreciates the funding from the Province, and would like to thank the staff and volunteers at the John Howard Society for their work in making the Community Integrated Care Hub a reality,” said Mayor Doug Elmslie. “This new space will make a huge difference in our community and will allow residents to get the care they need.”

“Our community is founded on compassion and coming together, and the Integrated Care Hub is a strong example of our collective commitment to lifting each other up,” he continued. “We are grateful for the support of all involved.”

The Community Integrated Care Hub is a purpose-built space designed to provide low-barrier, person-centered services grounded in a harm reduction framework. Through a ‘No Wrong Door’ approach, the Hub centralizes services and offers wrap-around supports so people can access what they need in one place, from basic needs like showers, laundry, meals, and a safe overnight space, to connections with health and community supports.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Province and the City of Kawartha Lakes for their support through the HPP funding,” said Kristal Jones-Craighead, Community Integrated Care Hub Director. “This Hub represents a compassionate and practical response to complex challenges in our community, and we are excited to begin welcoming guests and continuing this work alongside our partners."

Today’s announcement is part of the government’s Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP), a provincially funded program to address and prevent homelessness.

More information about Homelessness Services in Kawartha Lakes can be found on the webpage.