FEDS TO HELP ADDICTS FIND HOUSING

The federal government is looking for new types of subsidized housing for
drug users and alcoholics -- housing that could include safe-injection sites.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the government's housing agency,
is launching a study to look at alternative residential programs for
substance users who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

"We want to look at that population and how people are already helping
them, or the kinds of cutting-edge ideas on how we can best create
long-term housing for this group," said Jim Zamprelli, a senior policy
researcher at CMHC.

While there are already many shelters and other facilities for the homeless
across the country, most will only admit people who are not drunk or high
on drugs.

The new federal initiative, which focuses on the concept of harm reduction,
is aimed at helping addicts get a roof over their heads without having to
quit immediately.

"Harm reduction, at least theoretically, would create an environment which
doesn't bar (substance users) and recognizes that at this point maybe
complete abstinence is not the answer," said Zamprelli.