People were telling me about reading of a new homeless woman’s shelter that was going to open in Abbotsford.
Since I was unaware of plans for a homeless woman’s shelter/housing, I searched out a paper to read the article people were referring to. And there was the headline: ” New housing project for homeless women.”
Compounding the headline’s ability to create the wrong impression, the article did not clearly set out the purpose of the housing project on Clearbrook Road was and why the project was important for the wellness of the project’s residents and in addressing homelessness in Abbotsford.
This is not a shelter it is an apartment building. Homeless, mentally ill, addicted women will not be snatched off the street to live in the project. As Ms Willis stated: “This is an alcohol- and drug-free facility, and there will be no high-risk clients.”
It is second stage housing for Abbotsford, similar to the 13 units of second-stage housing the Women’s Resource Society of the Fraser Valley operates in Mission at Taulbut House. It will provide affordable housing so the women do not become homeless or have to live in danger of becoming homeless.
I can attest to how attention diverting, stressful and wearing it is when you are never sure you will have a place to live next month – until the moment when you have managed to pay the rent at the beginning of the next month. At which point the cycle of worrying whether you will have housing the following month begins to gnaw at you mind again.
The security, the stability, that affordable housing provides is invaluable in being able to focus on getting your life back on track, is a vital support to the woman (and their children) in getting their lives back on track.
” Executive director Pamela Willis said the Clearbrook Road project will allow the society to offer a a new level of support to women. “
Support is, in its way, even more important than affordable housing in getting your life back on track, in getting through the rough spots and over barriers.
I say this because it was support from friends that allowed me to overcome problems and not end up homelss in 2010. Friends were also the reason I made it through 2010 and the challenge posed by the rationing of mental health services.
Recovery and finding wellness is not a short, simple or easy process. Which is why the housing and support provided by the Clearbrook Road project is so needed.
There are emergency shelter spaces for woman who are homeless. There are first stage/minimal barrier spaces – although not nearly enough. There are treatment and recovery house spaces for woman.
What there hasn’t been – and what this project will provide – is safe, healthy, supportive, affordable housing to allow women to continue their journey of recovery, to help them get their lives back on track and to help them (and their children) find wellness and joy.