It has been nearly five months since I became CEO of LOFT. During this time, I have been getting to know the organization, its people, clients, funders, and partners and the locations where programs and services are delivered. What I can tell you with absolute certainty is that there is much more to LOFT than meets the eye. The scope and scale of the work done with heart by over 1,300 people, making LOFT the success it is, is remarkable. I would like to share a bit about what I have been doing since starting my journey with LOFT and highlight a few things you might not already know about LOFT as well as some ideas emerging for the
future.

In addition to meeting staff throughout the organization to understand their roles and responsibilities, I have also collaborated with community partners and funders. This allows me to better understand how we work together and support each other in our shared goal to address systemic issues that prevent equitable access to support for all, especially those with the most complex care needs, who are often at risk of not having their needs met adequately by the health and social care systems.

Looking forward, I want to mention where some of our work will take us this year.

Debra Walko with David and the Jane Street High-Intensity Supportive Housing team

Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs are a response to complex and urgent health needs in the province for individuals who are homeless or at risk of being unhoused. As the support provider for the Mid-West Toronto HART Hub, led by Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, LOFT is a key member in providing Supportive Housing services and advancing integrated, community-focused solutions that connect individuals with the supports they need. We will be offering up to 20 housing units and supports for those 18 and older.

As temperatures drop, reaching people where they are is not just important—it’s essential.

LOFT operates a Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Team (M-DOT) program that plays a vital role in connecting with individuals experiencing homelessness. This includes engaging with people on the street, those who use TTC facilities for shelter, and individuals living in encampments within and around city parks and outdoor spaces. One of the program coordinators emphasized that their team’s work is done in “real time,” meeting clients wherever they are and aiming to build relationships that can lead to stable housing. The partnership approach with clients and the multidisciplinary services offered are unique because they respectfully ensure access to essential services like psychiatry and nursing support, along with peer support and case management, which can make the difference in setting a person on a path to recovery.

In partnership with CAMH, we have launched Hospital-to-Home (H2H), a program that supports adults 55+ following a mental health crisis. H2H programming is part of Ontario’s modernization of home and community care, providing a more integrated and person-centred approach. Instead of remaining in the hospital, eligible clients are assessed to ensure they can safely return home with LOFT’s support. We are forging new ground with CAMH by developing a comprehensive, interprofessional home-care model that focuses on improved outcomes for people living with significant mental health needs. Over six to sixteen weeks, our H2H team develops an individualized care plan that may include personal support, behavioural support, and case management to assist the individual in their recovery and transition back to the community. This critical support helps ensure a smooth transition home and reduces avoidable hospital returns.

In January, we began collaborating with SE Health on High Intensity Home Care initiatives. This partnership leverages LOFT’s expertise in behaviour support and specialized psychogeriatric services for individuals living with dementia, mental health challenges, and/or substance use issues who are experiencing personal expressions or responsive behaviours. This collaboration represents another opportunity for LOFT to apply our expertise in supporting individuals with complex needs at home. The program will provide short-term support to individuals and their families while they wait for long-term care beds in the Toronto Central Ontario Health at Home region.

Case Manager and coordinator from the Social Medicine team

Finally, as outlined by Amy Wakelin, we have launched the Social Medicine Housing Solutions initiative in partnership with UHN to support unhoused individuals whose frequent Emergency Department visits highlight critical gaps in our healthcare system. This program seeks to close those gaps by providing sustainable housing solutions and integrated care.