Lotus Program
The Lotus Program is a collaboration between Health Sciences North and the City of Greater Sudbury that sets out to reduce the ever-increasing unhoused population within the community. Emphasizing harm reduction and the housing-first philosophy, the Transitional Housing Program offers individuals 18 months of support from our dedicated team of healthcare professionals. The interdisciplinary team comprised of nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, primary care doctors, and mental health and addictions workers offers individualized and group support with the goal of achieving safe and stable housing.
When becoming a participant of the Lotus Program, individuals will be provided with:
- A furnished suite with a private bathroom
- Both communal meals and support to access food in the community
- Support with physical and mental health care needs
- Goal setting
- Supports developing skills for activities of daily living
- Psychoeducational groups, counseling as needed
- Medication support if required
- Legal support if required
- Appointment assistance if required
- Support accessing and navigating community services
The Lotus Program is committed to providing safe, non-judgemental, and comprehensive support to help individuals achieve stability and independence.
Eligibility Criteria
Admission Criteria:
- Chronically homeless (minimum of 6 months) with mental health and addictions needs, and interested in obtaining housing
- At least 16 years of age
- The ability to complete one’s activities of daily living and ambulate independently
- Listed on the City of Greater Sudbury’s By-Name list
- Motivated to engage in programming and skill-building
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pets or dependants are not allowed
- Require 24-hour support or monitoring
- Part of a case management team that will discharge the individual if they are admitted to the temporary housing program
How to Become a Participant
Participants of the Lotus Program are selected from two sources: 70% from the City of Greater Sudbury’s By-Name list and 30% from Health Sciences North.
To be added to the By-Name list, individuals must be unhoused for a period of at least two weeks and complete an assessment with one of the following agencies: City of Greater Sudbury Social Services (ask for client navigators), Réseau Access Network, the Homelessness Network (community outreach workers), Centre de Santé Communautaire du Grand Sudbury, N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, John Howard Society, or the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Patient Resources