Cape Breton to Soon Have New Recovery House

Residents of Cape Breton looking for help in recovering from addiction will soon have access to enhanced services and a facility that meets the highest standards of transition care.

The Department of Community Services told the Standing Committee on Community Services today, June 5, that a request for proposals for a new facility will be issued, with support from the Department of Health and Wellness, before the end of this month.

"We are committed to providing the best service possible for people at a critical stage of turning their lives around," said Minister of Community Services Denise Peterson-Rafuse. "The request for proposals process is the best way to ensure those standards are well understood and met as we go forward."

Until February, transitional housing supports for people in recovery from addictions were provided by Talbot House in Frenchvale, Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Mid-way through an organizational review by the Department of Community Services, the organization's board of directors decided to close the facility and requested help in finding alternate arrangements for residents.

There are four other recovery houses in Nova Scotia that receive funding from the Department of Community Services. They are autonomous, incorporated, not-for profit organizations. In order to be eligible for funding, they must meet the requirements outlined in the Nova Scotia Standards for Recovery Houses and a service agreement for funding.