Family Violence Initiative
COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS
ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES
Affordable Housing for Survivors of Violence
- Program name:
Affordable Housing for Victims of Violence and Vulnerable Aboriginal People
- Organization:
At^lohsa Native Family Healing Centre Inc.
- Location:
Southwold, Ontario
- Target Group:
Aboriginal women and men.
- Contact Name:
Shanda Kennedy, Program Coordinator
- Phone:
N/A
- Email:
- Website:
Program Overview
- History:
The program was initiated in July of 2010.
Program Description
- Goals & Objectives:
To provide affordable housing for victims of violence and vulnerable Aboriginal people.
- Traditional/Indigenous ways:
All tenants of the housing units have full access to cultural events and ceremonies designed to give the clients the motivation to continue to make positive life choices. Activities and ceremonies include, community feasts, naming ceremonies, sunrise ceremonies, moon ceremonies, sweat lodge ceremonies, pipe ceremonies and language workshops.
- Components of program:
The program provides safe and affordable housing in an urban setting. The program pays the utilities and taxes of the property as well as assuming responsibility for property maintenance.
- Services/How they work:
Services are provided on site at the facility and out in the community.
- Funding:
Funding was provided through private donations.
Relationships and Stakeholders
- Involvement of Target Groups:
Every two years the organization has a conference during which time the community is welcome to come out and give voice to their concerns and feedback on the program.
- Partners:
Namerind; Nokeekway; Western Student Association; Western First Nations Student Centre; Fanshawe College First Nations Student Centre; Domestic Court Advisory Committee for the City of London and Middlesex; Infants and High Risk Environment Committee; Children Who Witness Violence Program Advisory Board; City of London Police Consultants Committee; Centre for Research to End Violence Against Women Board; Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre Board; National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence; Southwest Ontario Shelter Association; No More Silence Network; Community Advocates for Ontario Works and Ontario Disability; City of London Homeless Coalition; and the Coalition Against Human Trafficking.
- Other relationships:
N/A
Details of Program Evaluation
- Evaluation:
No evaluation has been completed.
- Highlights of Evaluation Findings:
N/A
Program Outcomes
- Measures of Success:
Success is measured by keeping the housing units occupied.
- Achievements:
Clients have maintained their healthy lives and have become independent and continue to choose to live violence free lives.
- Challenges:
The maintenance of the housing facility with limited human resources has been a significant challenge.
Things to Know to Replicate
- Replication Advice:
The program is considered replicable. Potential organizers would need major capital investment and ongoing operational dollars. To aid in the operation of the facility the community members could be trained in areas that would assist in the upkeep of the building (i.e. plumbing, landscaping, electrician).
- Resources:
Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.
- Date modified: