The inside of a new housing project in North Battleford that looks to end the cycle of homelessness. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Tyler Marr

BREAKING THE CYCLE

New housing project aims to break cycle of homelessness

Jul 23, 2019 | 2:02 PM

Melinda sits on the edge of a freshly made bed, looking around at recently painted greyish-white walls in the basement of a newly built home.

She plans to apply to live in the eight-bedroom affordable housing project for hard to house individuals that opened in North Battleford on Tuesday.

“It is so beautiful,” she said. “It will be safe here instead of where I live. By getting here, I will be so happy.”

The 58-year-old said the prospect of living in the home brings her joy, as she hopes it will help her remain sober and allow her grandchildren to come visit.

The governments of Saskatchewan, Canada, North Battleford and the Indian Métis Friendship Centre (BIMFC) helped with the project that will provide safe housing, supervision and supports they need to help break the cycle of homelessness.

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The 3,350 square foot bungalow includes social spaces, storage, a communal dining area and kitchen as well as space for group meetings, planning and programming.

Support services will be provided by several partners and include health assessments, mental health and addictions referrals and support, life skills training, a mentorship program with Indigenous Elders and other identified support needs.

BIMFC Executive Director Jackie Kennedy said the home will play a critical role in getting people back on their feet. As the clients are coming off the street, she said it can often be hard to know what they need or what they have gone through.

“We will design their program around what their needs are as not everyone has the same needs,” she said. “Some people just need to be loved and brought into a family environment and that is what we plan on doing.”

Those who want to apply to live in the home must enrol in programming to qualify, she said. Potential tenants will come via referrals from social services, the Lighthouse, and other community support programs.

Partners in the housing project officially opened the home on 98 Street Tuesday morning. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The city of North Battleford provided $108,000 to the project through the land sale and cost of servicing the site. BIMFC received a $130,000 community development corporation grant from the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs and an additional $10,000 was approved by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

CMHC and the province, through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, jointly contributed up to $580,000 to the project.

Ottawa is currently rolling out its $55 billion National Housing Strategy, which over 10 years, plans to create 100,000 new housing units and lift over 530,000 families out of housing needs and repair more than 300,000 housing units to reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.

—

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr