The Bridge Hamilton has found a temporary office, but the return of transitional housing ‘will take time’

A year after a fire tore through a central Hamilton prisoner rehabilitation centre, the organization has found a temporary home in its longtime neighbourhood.

The Bridge Hamilton, a six-bed transition house and support service for men who have been incarcerated, had been without a physical space since last April.

The blaze, which started in one of the apartments, resulted in significant damage to the Barton Street East building, rendering it unlivable for five residents and unusable for the organization.

Executive director, Maja Rehou, told The Spectator the organization recently moved into 399 Barton St. E., just down the street from its original building.

Rehou said while it was displaced, the organization moved to a hybrid model for programming, with staff going into the community to meet with outreach clients as well as offering some support groups at The Hub and Helping Hands Street Mission.

Other programs, such as a family support group, were done virtually. Still, the lack of a home base" has been a challenge for the non-profit, she added.

Our folks are transient," said Rehou. It's been really difficult doing the outreach, as many don't have access to phones or are in the shelter system."

Rehou said with the new space, the organization will be able to resume most programming. Its work also includes offering meals and clothing, and helping folks get identification, print resumes and find housing as they exit prison and reintegrate into society.

However, she noted the transitional housing piece of programming has yet to return and won't until the organization can move back into its longtime building at 319 Barton St. E.

Due to the extensive damage from the fire, the building had to be gutted and now needs to be restored. Costs are not an issue at this time due to insurance coverage as well as previously secured capital funding.

That will take time," said Rehou, pointing to the lengthy waits for building permits as well as organizing the logistics of the renovation. But the plan is that we will move back into the building."

Rehou said not being able to offer transitional housing for folks has been really difficult" for the organization.

With the housing located just above the office, staff were able to better connect with clients and assist them in their transition. And with six people staying in the house, there was the addition of peer support from folks with similar lived experiences.

Rehou said with folks now staying in the city's shelter system or lacking secure housing, their progress can be stifled.

The organization's clients are typically working toward getting jobs, completing education programs through the John Howard Society and navigating both addiction and mental-health concerns.

That's not an environment where you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the work day," said Rehou. It's problematic for anyone trying to move their life forward."

Rehou said while the last year has been hard on staff, she noted that with support from the community - both residents and other agency partners - the non-profit was able to continue operating.

Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. provided The Bridge with a townhouse for the men who were living at the centre during the fire, however, that partnership ended in November once all of them were through the program, she said.

All donations to the organization this month are being matched by The Canadian Tilling Foundation up to $10,000, added Rehou.

We're still supporting folks," she said. Even if we don't have that housing piece right now."

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com