Transitional housing program helping Indigenous community on pause

The Region of Waterloo is working on a transition plan after KW Urban Native Wigwam Project said it is pausing a Transitional Housing Program that helps Indigenous people experiencing homelessness.

In a media release Jan. 15, the KWUNWP mentioned that it made the difficult decision to pause the program as the temporary location is set to expire this May and the site is planned for demolition.

Along with searching for a new location, it is working to create a new model with new staff and leadership. KWUNWP also said it is working with the housing services team at the region to create a plan for current residents using the program.

In a different media release Jan. 10, the group said it had a breach in confidentiality and that the transitional housing at 34 Bridgeport Rd. in Waterloo is “closing their doors.”

It reads, “This was a very tough decision as we realize this service is desperately needed in our community, but we needed to take a pause. Based on feedback from clients, we have decided transitional housing needs restricting, and it was best to start from ground up.”

The release adds that this isn’t good-bye.

“These are growing pains, and change can be difficult as observed by some lateral violence that has been happening, which is not our way.”

The organization plans to keep moving forward, saying its learned from the past. The Executive Director, Laury Turcotte said in the Jan. 15 release posted on Facebook that they are proud of the programs and services.

“Taking this pause and restructuring will allow us to identify a new location and design a program that is sustainable, focused on healing and helping people successfully transition to more permanent and affordable housing.”

KWUNWP will also connect with community partners to figure out a new model to meet what it says are the growing needs of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness.