Community Homes

People with a mental illness need different levels of support available to them and Coast offers a wide range of housing options. Community Homes provide 24-hour staffing in a home-like atmosphere for those who are unable to live independently. Individuals have the opportunity to develop life skills in a supportive environment, where independence and self-reliance are promoted. Resident are able to come and go freely, have some privacy and participate in making decisions about home routines and activities available. Coast embraces the psychosocial rehabilitation model to foster independence and choice

Transition Housing Program

This Program is designed to help individuals move from a Community Home to semi-independent living
Transitional Housing Worker works closely with each individual who wants to live more independently, find an apartment and provide ongoing support
The Homes provide a continuing social and support network until former residents are well established in the community.

Six Homes

Coast owns and operates six Community Homes staffed by trained personnel who provide counseling, life skills coaching, life planning, medication administration and crisis management.
All are licensed under the Community Care Facility Licensing Act, which requires high standards for staffing, health care, food, housekeeping services, and facility maintenance. Regular inspections ensure regulations are followed.
The health board through the Mental Health Residential Services are responsible to ensure the standards of the Residential Care Manual are attained.

Resident's Involvement In Homes

Residents participate in an active program where they contribute to the day-to-day tasks to keep the home running while learning basic life skills
Community meetings are held regularly where residents can voice concerns, make suggestions, change household routines, plan special events and be involved in decision making much like an extended family
This includes helping shop for food, prepare, cook and serve meals, clean rooms and even gardening.
Each home also encourages them to become involved in the community. The Activity Workers promote participation in recreation programs such as swimming, volleyball, badminton etc. at local Community Centres. They also plan outings where exercise and socialization is promoted, such as hiking trips and walks, cross country skiing as well as camping trips during the summer months.

Clinical Support

All residents have the general practitioner of their choice and continue their psychiatric treatment with the Mental Health Team in the area, a private psychiatrist or their general practitioner.
The homes have good relationships with the Teams in their areas and maintain good communication and collaboration with the doctors and therapists, resulting in optimum care for the residents.

Permanent Home or Transition

For some of our residents their Community Home is a temporary haven where they can develop life skills necessary to live independently.
For others it is a relatively permanent residence offering safety, security, support and a caring community where they can feel that they belong.

Eligibility and Application:

Referrals come through Mental Health Residential Services, a Vancouver Community Mental Health Services agency of the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board.
Eligibility for placement in a Community Home is determined by Mental Health Residential Services based on the person's mental illness and their need for daily assistance with routine tasks.
Individual referrals are matched according to the home's age group and gender.
Potential residents are interviewed and given an orientation to the home.
Both the prospective resident and the Home Manager have the opportunity to decide whether this is likely to be a successful placement for this individual.
Mental Health Residential Services can be contacted at 604-734-5265.