Image of Josephine Pon and Nathan Neudorf

By Connor Gunn

Province funding new housing for Blackfoot women in Lethbridge

Jul 21, 2021 | 5:16 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The city will soon be getting 14 “safe and stable housing units” for Blackfoot women.

Announced by the Alberta government, this housing option will be open to Blackfoot women and their children who are relocating from the Kainai, Siksika, and Piikani reserves.

The province says some of these women may be starting new jobs or attending school while others may be fleeing difficult circumstances and looking for safety and stability.

Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon announced the governments of Alberta and Canada will provide $3.4 million for the project.

“The Indigenous Housing Capital Program is intended to support specialized projects, such as transitional housing for Blackfoot women and their children who want to move off reserve and begin new chapters in their lives.”

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“Our program is designed to support community-focused projects like this one, and ensure new housing is delivered and owned by, and for, Indigenous peoples.”

The project will create an estimated 25 jobs.

“Through the National Housing Strategy, it is with great pleasure that our government is supporting this Indigenous-owned housing project in Lethbridge, so that collectively, we are better able to support vulnerable populations with a home that meets their needs. These types of investments in our communities help create new jobs and stimulate the economy, while providing access to safe, affordable homes,” says Ahmed Hussen, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

The funding from the provincial government is provided through the Indigenous Housing Capital Program (IHCP), which supports Indigenous governments and communities to build affordable off-reserve, off-settlement and on-settlement housing where it is needed.