CANTON -- Canton Enriched Housing officials announced plans to discontinue the Enriched Housing Program, located at 37 Riverside Drive. The closure target date is Oct. 31.

The primary focus of the Enriched Housing Program is to provide housing with support services in an effort to stabilize and decrease healthcare costs.

The program is focused on providing safe, affordable housing while keeping people “healthy” and out of more expensive environments as long as possible.

The program assists residents with preventative healthcare measures including selecting and maintaining primary care, securing and scheduling transportation to physician appointments, procuring and assisting with self-administration of medications, and other support services.

The program is currently serving 16 individuals.

“This is a difficult announcement,” said Roberta Hart, chair. “The Enriched Housing Program continues to be successful in meeting the needs of the residents and continues to serve its purpose- reducing the number of unnecessary hospital visits and related healthcare expenses. Financially we are unable to continue the program.”

The discontinuation of the Enriched Housing Program comes just one year after the closure of the United Helpers Adult Residence in Ogdensburg, further reducing the number of lower-cost housing and support options for people in St. Lawrence County.