October 18th, 2025

Supportive living unit ready to open doors


By Lethbridge Herald on September 27, 2025.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad Elder Martin Heavy Head explains the meaning of the new supportive housing unit's Blackfoot name at the grand opening on Friday afternoon.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A one-of-a-kind supportive housing unit in Lethbridge will be serving 30 members of the vulnerable population who need daily living supports due to mental disabilities such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Many people who have FASD struggle with limited mental capacities and often fall into addiction due to trauma.

Robin James, chief administrative officer of Lethbridge Housing Authority, says the unit on Stafford Drive North just south of 5 Avenue will serve a vulnerable population who often fall through the cracks due to their disabilities, similar to how senior living organizations help those who need extra supports as they age.

“Some of our FASD population that have fallen into homelessness, even on a recovery pathway, they don’t have the capacity to be able to those daily activities such as cooking and cleaning,” said James.

The officially opening welcomed dozens of city officials, Indigenous leaders and Jason Nixon, minister of seniors, community and social services.

The opening began with the housing unit receiving the Blackfoot name “Nokoowaayi,” meaning “my home.”

The building has a cultural room, which represents a tipi and contains an HVAC system and sound proofing, to welcome Blackfoot elders who will provide culturally significant events such as smudging and drumming.

There is also a green space and a rooftop patio so residents can enjoy the outdoors while also being supported in their recovery journey.

The amenities will include food security with the onsite kitchen, laundry services and housekeeping and will cost the residents $1,200 a month, which will be deducted from their AISH cheque.

This amount includes all of the services the accommodations provide and will leave the residents with a minimum of $500 left for the month.

Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge East, said the building will be a beacon of hope for those seeking refuge.

“It’s a place where people can heal, rebuild and find community and it shows what’s possible when governments, Indigenous leaders, organizations and citizens all work together with a shared purpose.”

Similarly, Mayor Blaine Hyggen said this building is a commitment to meeting people where they are and walking alongside them through their journey to recovery.

“These wraparound services are essential to helping people move forward with dignity and stability.”

This was Nixon’s second time in Lethbridge in just a few short months, as he also came to the grand opening of the Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit back in May.

He said while he’s proud of his work of the shelter and believes “it is the greatest example of how to do an emergency shelter,” the province is committed to building projects to support the next steps along ones recovery journey.

“We’re going to invest in Alberta over $100 million this year alone, in really high-intensive supportive housing units just like this which is exciting.”

He added this couldn’t be done without partnerships such as the City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Housing Authority and the federal government.

“Our system is built on partnerships…where we come together to be able to make sure we can bring all of our resources together to build intensive, fast pace projects like this that can really, really make a difference.”

The province provided a budget of $10.2 million to build the facility and while the final amount is still being calculated, James says they have about two per cent contingency left.

The province will also cover costs of operations, meaning none of the money used for the building will come from city taxes.

James said this project has been the works for over 20 years and she hopes the project will dispel myths of what supportive housing can do, while also changing the lives of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

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Citi Zen

James’ run for council is dangerous. She clearly has one agenda, to give all your tax dollars to the homeless. Think about it at election time, folks.

Gandolf

Need I put in a little bit of wisdom in your morning coffee? While she is running for council, and I have met her and got her perspective on this, this is not only funded by city property tax, it’s also funded by Alberta and Federal. Services like this long time coming. Proper service needs to be put for certain individuals. You cannot house them all at the shelter. Those who want help can now get the help they need. Also, with Mike advocating for more smaller business to come to Lethbridge, that in itself will also help pay for such services, maybe even lowering commercial taxes. Just food for thought.

buckwheat

Agree. Homeless and FASD. What is needed is a complete public independent yearly accounting of the success/non success rate and how many have been given the hand up to leave and become viable citizens. I presume that shortly 30 beds won’t be enough and will be hearing about how we need more funding in the name of the homeless/drug/poverty industries.



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