Media Release: TBDSSAB and Elizabeth Fry announce Transitional Housing funded via Social Services Relief Funding
June 2, 2023 – The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) and Elizabeth Fry Society Northwestern Ontario have partnered to increase transitional housing options in Thunder Bay.
Elizabeth Fry has received $219,500* from TBDSSAB via SSRF to purchase and renovate a single-family home to support the development of 7 new transitional housing spaces for women and gender-diverse people. MPP Kevin Holland joined representatives from Elizabeth Fry and TBDSSAB in Thunder Bay this afternoon to make the announcement.
The funded project will provide a home with 24-hour supports to 5-7 women and gender-diverse people involved in the criminal justice system. With 3062 square feet of living space, 7 bedrooms and two bathrooms, the premises are ideal for a congregate-living, transitional housing environment. The home is accessible to all women and gender-diverse individuals exiting corrections, those living in active addiction, those who are experiencing chronic homelessness or exploitation, and those who may be at risk of criminalization. A dedicated Reintegration Worker is available to residents for individual service delivery, along with the Systems Navigator Circle of Care, to support their individual needs.
TBDSSAB provided the SSRF funding in April 2022. Purchase and construction began in October of 2022 and was completed in January 2023.
Quotes:
- “It is inspiring to see a project through from the research component to actualization. There has been a gap in supportive housing for women and gender diverse people in our community. Stable housing can provide a foundation for recovery, health and wellness. EFSNWO believes that healthy women strengthen families, healthy families strengthen communities.”
– Lindsay Martin, Elizabeth Fry NWO - “On behalf of the Board, thank you to MMAH for the funding that made this investment possible through the Social Services Relief Fund (SSRF). And thank you to Elizabeth Fry Society for taking on this project. We are stronger together, and so are the people we serve.”
– Ken Boshcoff, Chair, TBDSSAB Board of Directors - “This project expands our system’s capacity to support women and gender-diverse people who need appropriate supports. We want people to be successful, we need to meet them where they’re at. This partnership with Elizabeth Fry shows how that is being done with dignity and respect.”
– Bill Bradica, Chief Administrative Officer, TBDSSAB
Elizabeth Fry Society Northwestern Ontario is a charitable organization that supports and advocates for women, Two-Spirit, non-binary and gender diverse people in prison, those transitioning back into the community, and those at risk of criminalization. We work to provide integrated programs and support services that best meet the needs of our clients and their families, with the goal of fostering independence, building healthy communities and reducing incarceration. For more information: https://www.elizabethfrynwo.org/
*Note: Previous versions of this release included the wrong dollar amount. The total dollar amount has since been corrected.