A new housing program has been opened by the YWCA Lethbridge & District.
Titled ‘Hope’, it is a long-term transitional housing initiative where women and families coming from emergency shelters can live independently, all while taking the needed and often lengthy steps toward a life free from violence.
“Those [emergency] shelters are very short-term, often between 21 to 28 days maximum,” says events and marketing coordinator Lorien Johansen.
“There is a lack, or a not-yet built situation, with transitional, long-term housing in Lethbridge – we’re all aware there is a housing crisis. This is the realization of our program to fill that need and bridge that gap.”
She explains that transitional housing is longer-term and is more focused on independent living, rather than supportive housing programs.
“The participants in the Hope program can stay in housing for up to 18 months, rather than one month,” Johansen states.
The Hope program is the first of its kind in the city and nearly doubles the number of available beds that are focused specifically on individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.
“We’ve known for a few years that this kind of housing program and support program was needed in Lethbridge – we’re not the only organization that’s aware of that. We were fortunate enough to be able to work with the City [of Lethbridge and] the federal government to get enough funding to create this program,” Johansen remarks.
She says there was “quite a bit” of renovations that were needed in their building to support longer-term independent living, with funding also going toward the operation of the Hope program.
The project received assistance from the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program, with the City designating close to $450,000 in capital and operational funding to the project. The City funding is administered through the Community Social Development department and guided by the Community Wellbeing Advisory Board, which is a big win in productive partnerships, according to CSD general manager Andrew Malcolm.
“This project represents over two years of focused collaboration between the CSD department and the YWCA,” Malcolm says. “By aligning local and federal investments, we’ve been able to help fill a critical gap identified in the Municipal Housing Strategy. The result is a new transitional housing option that provides safety, stability, and opportunity for vulnerable women and children in Lethbridge.”
The help from the City builds on over $230,000 in capital funding previously approved by council.
“I’m grateful for the strong collaboration with City administration and Council that helped bring this vision to life, and I’m optimistic about what we can continue to build together to support lasting impact,” says the YWCA’s CEO Jill Young.
The program will be slowly accepting intake referrals over the next several weeks. Young says they expect to be at or near capacity within six weeks. She adds the YWCA will continue to develop educational and empowering programming for participants, which will help them find higher education and employment opportunities, housing and childcare providers, and essential services supports.
The community is invited to an open house on Wednesday, June 18 between 3 and 7 p.m. at the YWCA (604 8 Street S.) to learn more about the program and all services offered by the local organization.
