The search continues for a new home for the Salvus Clinic.
It was forced out of Church Street location after being evicted in October.
The clinic provided services including primary healthcare to those experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental illness, and substance use.
Executive Director Melissa Baxter says they’ve secured temporary locations.
“Half of the staff are currently in a temporary location, and the rest of the staff are actually moving this Friday to another temporary location. Both locations are only administrative spaces so we’re unable to see patients there. However, we continue to take the Mobile Health Unit out on a daily basis. We have staff that are going to St George’s Anglican church on a daily basis as well to provide navigation services. The clinical staff were able to obtain two clinical exam rooms so we’re able to see patients on somewhat of a reduced basis. We are trying our hardest to maintain services.”
The two clinical exam rooms are available Monday to Friday, but they don’t replace the full clinical space they had before on Church Street.
“We had a bit of a strategy session yesterday to kind of regroup So we’re really looking at long-term planning at this point. We’re going to continue our location search. We’re going to continue to have conversations with partners. When we were evicted and we were closing, we sent out a memo, and we have had tremendous support from our community partners. So we’re going to continue having those conversations and see where the road will take us,” Baxter adds.
Baxter is hopeful that over the next several months up to a year, they’ll be able to work with their partners to obtain a long-term permanent home for Salvus.
“It was hard on the staff and it’s hard on the clients, but we’re doing as best we can. We’ve had some preliminary conversations, but nothing is confirmed as of this moment, but I remain hopeful,” Baxter says.
The Salvus Clinic has hit several roadblocks in its hunt for a new home. They have had a few leases for spaces rejected by landlords. Previously, Baxter told usthere was no explanation given , but she could only guess it was due to the stigmatizing attitude, “There’s certainly a not in my backyard general stereotype that is occurring. However, we’re a medical clinic and we provide service to individuals experiencing homelessness.”
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