Council approves $1.1 million for housing project fighting Indigenous homelessness

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Council unanimously approved a $1.1 million project to convert two buildings into housing for Indigenous people and families impacted by COVID-19 and homelessness.

The funding is for the Tawaw (Cree for “come in” or “welcome,” and pronounced ta-WOW) Housing First Partnership between Wood Buffalo Housing (WBH), Wood Buffalo Wellness Society and McMurray Métis.

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Council approves $1.1 million for housing project fighting Indigenous homelessness Back to video

The project involves two Timberlea 8-plexes that will be turned into 12 units with 22 beds. A shared space and offices will be included. Renovations are estimated to cost $500,000 and the capital lease payment is expected to be $587,900. The buildings are owned by WBH.

There are 51 people awaiting placement in local housing programs, with 32 people identified as Indigenous, said Bryan Fayant, disaster and recovery strategist with the McMurray Métis.

In 2019-20, Wood Buffalo Wellness Society housed 60 people and had an 85 per cent success rate. Jo-Anne Packham, executive director of Wood Buffalo Wellness Society, said 59 per cent of people screened at their intake program are Indigenous.

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“There have been tears of joy, relief and excitement that we as a community will truly now be able to elicit change with this program’s inception,” she said.

Proponents say the program will help people recover from addictions, intergenerational traumas, marginalization and feelings of hopelessness in a culturally sensitive and supportive environment.

The Rupertsland Institute, which is part of the Métis Nation of Alberta, will be involved in the project, said Fayant. The organization’s employment services helps people with job hunts and hit educational goals.

“We know once people remove barriers to employment, they will be more receptive to being trained up for work, leading to greater chances of leaving the streets and going to the workforce,” said Fayant.

The funding comes from the federal government’s Reaching Home initiative, which targets homelessness across Canada. The funds are restricted to programs specific to COVID-19 and its impacts on homeless populations.

This is the second round of local COVID-19 funding from the Reaching Home initiative. In April 2020, council approved $744,997 be distributed between the Salvation Army, the Wood Buffalo Wellness Society and the YMCA of Northern Alberta.

“Homelessness has been at the top of our minds as a council for our whole term,” said Councillor Bruce Inglis. “It’s an ongoing problem, but at least we’re making forward movement on it and it’s because of you folks that have gone to this extra effort to do it.”

Council also unanimously voted to change the election bylaw so candidates can pay nomination fees with debit or credit. Previously, only cash, cheque or money order was accepted.

Administration recommended the change to help limit COVID-19’s spread. The change will only be in place for the 2021 general election.

The nomination period for the election began Jan. 1 and is open until Sept. 20. Election Day is Oct. 18.

lbeamish@postmedia.com