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Gunn Centre is located 65km northwest of Edmonton overlooking Lac Saint Anne. Its rural location and scenic peaceful view adds to the services it provides to Albertans. Gunn Centre is a provincially owned and operated facility under the department of Housing and Urban Affairs.
The Centre has the capacity to serve 115 men. Each resident is provided with a private bedroom in a cottage shared with three to six men. Food, medication and extra recreational activities are provided within the facility. In addition residents of Gunn Centre are expected to contribute to tasks and general duties throughout the Centre as engagement and responsibility to ones living environment.
Purpose
Gunn Centre offers interim housing for up to six (6) months for homeless Albertan males between the ages of 18-65 with addictions and or mental health issues in the Edmonton region. Stabilization and recovery is the primary focus with a commitment to sustaining permanent housing within the larger community.
The Centre is a drug and alcohol-free living environment. Obtaining “stable” or “clean” time while focusing on life skills is a goal for residents residing at Gunn Centre. A Lifestyle Support Plan is developed that is transferable to the larger community in conjunction with Housing First and further outreach.
Program Goals
- To provide an accountable and measurable client-centered program that focuses on recovery in a stable environment free of drugs and alcohol which precedes Housing First, creating an increased success rate for sustainability of permanent housing.
- To enhance resident health, daily living skills, capacity for employment and community re-integration, and;
- To establish links to affordable housing and support services within the community according to the needs and capabilities of each individual.
Program Summary
Stage 1: (Month One and Two)
Initial Lifestyle Support Planning will commence. Physical and mental health is a primary focus within the first month of arrival. This will consist of medication needs, lab work, and treatment implementation or follow up, mouth and ear care, and nutrition.
Stage 2: (Month Three and Four)
Client will be active in implementation of Lifestyle Support Plan for recovery. Lifestyle Support Planning will consist of addressing individual needs that may include Counselors, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Clinical Social Worker, Mental Health worker. In addition group and individual counseling both on site as well as in the larger community will be offered with an expectation of full participation from the resident.
Stage 3: (Month Five and Six)
In collaboration with Housing First, the resident will assist with determining level of supports required through Housing First in order to support outreach needs and permanent housing. The Lifestyle Support Plan will encompass all of the above with additional planning on housing, income and community supports. Community supports will begin to become established prior to sixth month of program whenever possible.
Clientele
Men admitted to the Centre are homeless with addictions and/or mental health issues. Men who are experiencing substance abuse difficulties will be required to complete detoxification treatment prior to coming to the Centre. Due to the vintage buildings and current construction of Gunn Centre, those applicants with mobility issues will be evaluated to ensure Gunn Centre is equipped to physically serve their needs. Gunn Centre will not accept applicants with any history of sexual charges. Gunn Centre reserves the right to refuse applicants with assault history that may put the Gunn Centre community at risk. Service may be declined if an applicant is likely to present a physical risk to himself or others.
Making a Referral to Gunn Centre
To make a referral, contact Gunn Centre administration at (780) 967-2221 ext 0. Applicants must complete a medical assessment prior to admission. The medical information required is included with the referral application. In some circumstances, a Criminal Record Check (CRC) may be requested.
Priority will be given to referrals from emergency shelters in Alberta. Other facilities such as psychiatric hospitals, addiction treatment centres, and prisons that are discharging men with no housing or support services may also make referrals.
Prior to beginning the application process, potential candidates should be aware of the following:
- Possession or use of alcohol, alcohol-based products (e.g., mouthwash) and illicit drugs are prohibited while living at Gunn Centre;
- Residents are required to provide urine samples to determine the presence/absence of alcohol or drugs, when requested;
- No knives or weapons are permitted on Centre property; in addition ONLY authorized items are permitted upon admission (clothing, personal care items, etc. See list attached to application).
- If applicable, SFI will provide medication coverage and a personal spending allowance for residents of the Centre. Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) is suspended while living at the Centre.
- Men who derive their income from a private trust, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance, or Worker’s Compensation will be charged room and board and are required to pay for their own medications. Room and board fees are adjusted when medication expenses are extreme.
The following application forms are available online:
Application form 
Medical Assessment form
Overview
If you require any additional information, please contact Gunn Centre at 780-967-2221, ext 0. |
Gunn Centre - Administration Building
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