Monday, May 31, 2021
$1.1 million in funding earmarked for Youth Transitional Housing Program in Annapolis Valley
(in response to the news release by the province of Nova Scotia, May 31, 2021).
Department of Community Services earmarked to provide The Portal Youth Outreach Association, in the Annapolis Valley, $1.1 million in funding for Youth Transitional Housing. The Transitional Housing Program will have three houses, one in each of the three Annapolis Valley counties - West Hants, Kings, and Annapolis. The program will support 14 youth, aged 16- 21, who are homeless or precariously housed. The houses will open fall of 2021 and young people can safely stay for three months to three years, depending on their needs and their capacity to transition to permanent housing.
The program will address the lack of affordable, accessible, and supported housing options for youth. Currently no youth transitional housing is available in the Annapolis Valley from Windsor to Annapolis Royal. Transitional housing is the entry phase with the second phase being a Host Home or the Supported Independent Living Program.
“I can think back to young people that are now in their early 20s that would have been greatly impacted by having this kind of support when they were transitioning from couch surfing (homelessness) to permanent housing. Transitional housing enables us to provide extra support and take the time to rebuild and instill confidence for youth to take those steps that most of us take for granted between the age of 16 and 21 years of age. We look forward to engaging with the community with a furniture drive and assistance with basic renovations at each site in Windsor, Kentville, and Middleton.” Russ Sanche, Executive Director, The Portal Youth Outreach Association.
In alignment with the Homeless No More Strategy and the developing housing continuum of support, the Youth Transitional Housing Program will significantly contribute to the mandate to see that all youth have a safe, supportive, and nurturing home. Each house will have 4-6 youth supported by partner agencies and a live-in house mentor. Onsite supervision, support, and programming are part of the wrap around support services youth will receive.
Media contact:
Amanda Haslett, Community Engagement Coordinator, The Portal Youth Outreach Association
Cell- 902-385-5119
The Portal is a registered non-profit charitable organization in the Annapolis Valley, supporting youth (16- 24 years of age) who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. It’s our vision that all youth in the Annapolis Valley have a safe, supportive and nurturing home. Our mission is to reduce the number of youth experiencing homelessness in the Annapolis Valley and prevent further youth from becoming homeless. The Portal supports 60-100 youth per year in a wrap-around, youth-centered, relationship based support services. The Portal Youth Outreach Association receives its core funding from DCS, Prevention and Early Intervention, Child, Youth and Family Supports (DCS’ Child Welfare program) and the Integrated Action Plan to Address Homelessness.