CUMFI working to create more safe places to call home

Women, children, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community fleeing violence will soon have more places to go – Aggie’s House or Shirley’s House.

 

“These short-term and transitional housing units will provide a safe have to the most vulnerable when they need it,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada.

 

The Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI) is has received funding to develop 20 units in two wings of the same buildings. One wing will operate as an emergency shelter and will be called Aggie’s House. The other will operate as long-term transitional housing called Shirley’s House.

 

“I think it will make a major impact,” said Shirley Isbister, CUMFI President. “Indigenous people will have the opportunity to move through an Indigenous environment. They’ll be comfortable in that system.”

 

The project received funding from several organizations: $7.6 million from the federal government; a subsidy from Indigenous Services Canada, $540,000 from Saskatchewan Housing Corporation; $540,000 from City of Saskatoon as well as a permit rebate and a 5-year incremental abatement; and $361,439 from the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated.

 

“By supporting Aggie’s and Shirley’s Shelter, ISC is helping ensure Indigenous women, children, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community experiencing violence have a safe place to go,” said Hajdu.

 

The building will have 3-bedroom units on both sides, said Isbister, to accommodate families.

 

Each place will be fully furnished, Aggie’s House will have a kitchen to provide meals for those seeking emergency housing.

 

While at Shirley’s House the units will have their own kitchens, where residents will do their own shopping and pay rent – preparing to move out and join the community again.

 

Elders be made available to provide trauma counselling and therapy, said Isbister, adding these types of homes and services are in high demand in Saskatoon.

 

“Saskatchewan has the high rate of domestic violence and partnership violence in Canada,” said Isbister. “This home could be filled up in one day.”

 

She said there is not enough spaces to meet demand but is thankful CUMFI will be able to meet some of those needs soon with their new building.

 

“There’s a constant need to find homes for women,” said Isbister. “When you’re not comfortable in a home, that’s one of the reasons people go back to a domestic violence situation.”

 

She said housing has been a major issue in the city since COVID, due to several reasons, including more evictions due to landlords no longer being paid directly from social assistance, as well as a large gap between rent costs and the amount of dollars individuals in need receive from social services.

 

CUMFI operated a public washroom from August to the end of October, which was accessed 14,300 times during that time.