The City of North Battleford is stepping up its efforts to combat homelessness in the community by endorsing a grant application for the North Battleford Transitional Housing Project.
The application is being submitted under the federal government's Homelessness Partnership Strategy through Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, with the main objective being a transitional housing facility that will assist homeless individuals and families.
A non-profit organization would run the facility, which would not only offer a warm home, but also training in basic life skills, parenting, health, education and employment. Counseling for addictions and mental health would also be available. Most of the services would be by existing agencies in the community.
Each client would be expected to pay a minimal per diem to the facility, with the goal being that the individuals would eventually move into a self-contained rental apartment/ organization or their own home.
In addition, council also endorsed an application from Reclaim Outreach Centre for capital funding for an Emergency Shelter for the Homeless. Reclaim was applying for funding under the same federal program.
The resolution to endorse both grant applications was supported unanimously at Monday's council meeting.
"What it means is there is broad-based community support for such an initiative in the city," said mayor Ian Hamilton of the transitional housing project.
He adds the proponents behind this are soliciting several agencies within the community for letters of support to show the government this is a community-based effort that will be supported by the community.
The program received wide support from council for addressing a need that a homeless shelter may not provide all by itself. Homeless shelters are seen as important in addressing homelessness on a ground-floor emergency basis, but a transitional housing approach would address another need: breaking the cycle of homelessness by helping individuals overcome the obstacles to more permanent or longer-term housing.
"What has been demonstrated to us or observed over time is that a lot of individuals don't have the basic life skills to successfully retain and maintain long-term housing," said Hamilton. "So this will assist them in doing so."
He adds the program will assist them in mental health and addictions issues that may assist them to transition to long-term housing opportunities.
"This is to be a community support to get them into secure housing."
Councillor Ron Crush was one of those to support endorsing the application. He had called for a broad approach to the homeless issue during the debate last fall over the Reclaim Outreach Centre's application for a homeless shelter.
"I'm really pleased to see this type of venture come to fruition," Crush said. "To me, I don't want a revolving door. I want to see some continuum of care."
Not resolved at Monday's meeting was another time-sensitive topic - the continued operation of the Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre's temporary emergency shelter.
The shelter needs additional funds to keep operating beyond Jan. 31.
Mayor Hamilton told the media Monday the City was still working on that issue. There may, however, be some movement towards a possible resolution in time for the deadline.
A special council meeting had been called for 1 p.m. Thursday to discuss funding support for the emergency homeless shelter.
