Lethbridge YWCA opts out of Permanent Supportive Housing Women’s Residence Program
By Lethbridge Herald on March 20, 2023.
The YWCA Lethbridge and District will not be renewing their contract with the Permanent Supportive Housing Women's Residency program.
Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-GuzmanAlejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com
The YWCA Lethbridge and District has decided not to enter into a new contract with the Permanent Supportive Housing Women’s Residence Program at the end of the month.
YWCA Lethbridge and District CEO, Jill Young said the program is a funded program for 24 women age 18 plus, that require additional supports for various different needs and takes a housing-first approach in terms of being able to provide those supports.
She said they have chosen at this time for the long-term success of the organization and for their growth opportunities, to discontinue this particular program.
“To clarify, the permanent supportive housing is a program that is available through various different organizations throughout Lethbridge, the YWCA is just chosen not to sign a new contract for this program in particular, but we are working with other organizations in order for us to continue that program,” said Young.
She said this decision was not made lightly, as it is a decision that is affecting many different individuals from staff to residents.
“We needed to ensure the long term viability of our organization as we look ahead to how we’re operating and with the financial resources that we have available,” said Young.
She said this was only one program no longer being offered by the YWCA, but they continue to offer a variety of programs.
“We are also offering other programs here at YWCA that really support the individuals in need including Harbor house, which continues as a 21-day emergency shelter for those fleeing domestic abuse, as well as our Hestia homes program which is another permanent supportive housing program, that offers supports to youth age 17 to 24 and various other supportive programs including our safe visitation and our amethyst program,” said Young.
As for the housing units that were being used for the Permanent Supportive Housing Women’s Residence Program, Young said they do not have any specific plans for them at the moment.
“We are absolutely looking at opportunities right now for how we can utilize those rooms for the best of the community and how we can again continue to support those that are vulnerable throughout Lethbridge and area. At this time, we don’t have any concrete news that we can share but I look forward to sharing some of those news in a few months,” said Young.
She said they are taking one step at the time, and right now they are focused on working with other organizations in order to make the transition as smooth and successful as possible for those affected.
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14-13
Sad that a once great organization, which has served this city for several decades has fallen due to bad decisions made by those operating the YWCA in Lethbridge.
Rumours of an illegal safe comsumption site in the lower saw known drug male dealers hanging right at the front door of the complex, with open drug use witnessed along the fence of the property, several fatal overdoses in the complex with 3 within 2 weeks and a meth lab busted on the second level.
This was supposed to house Harbour House, a safe place for woman/children escaping violence and abuse.
Is there any wonder the city pulled it’s funding? Will the leadership still be there for future operations?
Agree