The Integrated Homelessness and Addiction Response Center (I.H.A.R.C) is a pioneering initiative designed to comprehensively address the challenges of homelessness and addiction in Northumberland County. Serving as a central hub, I.H.A.R.C provides coordinated access to a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual facing homelessness and substance dependency.

Our mission extends beyond individual care; we are committed to fostering a responsive community environment. I.H.A.R.C actively engages with the local community by providing a platform where community members can voice their concerns and submit complaints related to homelessness and addiction issues. This critical aspect of our service ensures that all voices are heard and that appropriate actions are taken to address community concerns, thereby enhancing our collective response to these complex challenges.

By integrating advanced technology with compassionate care, I.H.A.R.C offers 24/7 support, ensuring that help is always available. This is primarily done by connecting those in need with existing service providers and coordinating services. Our goal is to empower individuals and the community to achieve stability and recovery.

At I.H.A.R.C, we believe in a community-driven approach where every interaction is guided by dignity, respect, and the understanding that recovery and community well-being are journeys we undertake together. Join us in our commitment to creating a safer, healthier, and more supportive environment for all members of Northumberland County.

We are doers, people of action. Some of the services we are actively providing at I.H.A.R.C include :

• Connect people to services
• Coordinate care
• Help divert non-applicable calls from emergency services
• Collect, analyze, and report data leading to service improvements

just to name a few..

I.H.A.R.C was created by BxC, a non-profit located in Port Hope. After it became apparent that there was no central coordination between all the social services and agencies in Northumberland County, we set out to do something about it. From that, I.H.A.R.C was born. With an evolving mission to unify service delivery and enhance care for those living homeless or facing adictions.

When you see discarded needles on the ground an abandoned shopping cart, or someone sleeping on a park bench, you might be inclined to call 9-1-1. In fact, many people do. But do those things really constitute a police emergency?

At a time when budgets are tight and crime is on the rise, police shouldn't be wasting time dealing with situations they are not equipped nor charged with handling. It is therefore important we support our law enforcement agencies by helping to divert non-police complaints thereby enabling them to focus on their core responsibilities.

There are numerous agencies and organizations in Northumberland County tasked with supporting those living homeless or facing addiction issues. Finding the best one to work with can be a challenge. Due to the inherent disconnected nature of all these agencies, it can be difficult for people seeking support to navigate. Sometimes this leads people to just give up.

That's why it's important to have a central coordination center to help people navigate the existing systems and make it as simple as possible.

No! I.H.A.R.C was established and is operated by BxC, a local non-profit. While we work with many public agencies, we are not one ourselves.

Currently, we are operating a pilot funded by donations until Jun 13, 2024. On this date, we will be conducting a metrics based review alongside community partners. This will look at the overall impact of services to date to see if I.H.A.R.C is an effective tool for the community. These community partners will then determine if it is worth providing funding to continue the program.

The metrics used to determine program impact are being selected specifically to ensure accurate analysis.

For example, a metric detailing the number of interactions with people could easily be skewed high. If you provide support to the same person via 12 different calls, you could report that as 12 interactions. In our opinion, that is inherently flawed and could lead to programmatic failure by emphasizing something not direclty related to a successful recovery.

All metrics will be provided on the I.H.A.R.C website as part of our commitment to transparency. Furthermore, all public funding will be disclosed alongside our budget.