Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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New transitional housing in Saskatoon will offer a safe place to stay for Indigenous women and children and LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing domestic violence.
Aggie’s and Shirley’s House, in the city’s Kensington neighbourhood, features two distinct wings with a total of 20 fully furnished units. Aggie’s House will provide short-term housing, access to meals and other support services for those in need of immediate refuge, while Shirley’s House will provide longer-term transitional housing, with units featuring private kitchens. Residents at Shirley’s House will be responsible for their own groceries and rent as they make their transitions.
Read more:
- First-ever seminar on family, domestic violence to be held in Saskatoon
- Province announces $3.8 million to help address intimate partner violence
- ‘We’re going to stand with the victims’: Saskatoon Intimate Partner Violence team removing barriers
The City of Saskatoon said the new housing “represents a significant step forward” in addressing an urgent need in the Indigenous community.
The housing will be operated by the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. The project was made possible through $7.6 million in funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, $1.4 million from National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated and a subsidy from Indigenous Services Canada. The City of Saskatoon chipped in $540,000, along with “a permit rebate and a five-year incremental abatement,” while the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation also contributed $540,000.
“The City of Saskatoon is proud to contribute to the development of Aggie’s and Shirley’s House,” Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block said in a statement.
“This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when all levels of government, Indigenous organizations, and community partners come together.”
“Transitional housing is a critical component in supporting those who need security and stability to build a brighter future,” added Terry Jenson, Saskatchewan’s minister of social services and the minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
Aggie’s and Shirley’s House expands access to short-term and transitional housing in Saskatoon, giving individuals and families a safe, secure place to heal and rebuild their lives.”
Buckley Belanger, Canada’s secretary of state for rural development, said “far too many” vulnerable people struggle to find housing after fleeing violence.
“Together with Indigenous partners, non-profits, and all levels of government, we’re helping ensure that safe, affordable homes are within reach for everyone who needs them,” Belanger said in a statement.
