Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES

Affordable Housing for Survivors of Violence

Program Name:

Affordable Housing for Victims of Violence and Vulnerable Aboriginal People

Organization/Community:

At^lohsa Native Family Healing Centre Inc.

Location:

Southwold, Ontario

Website:

www.atlohsa.com

Goals and Objectives:

To provide affordable housing for victims of violence and other vulnerable Aboriginal people.

Target Group Description:

Aboriginal women and men.

Program Description:

The program provides safe and affordable housing in an urban setting. All tenants have full access to cultural events and ceremonies designed to give clients 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.

Program Successes/Impact:

Those clients who maintain their healthy lives and have become independent and continue to choose to live violence free lives.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

The maintenance of housing with limited human resources.

Program in operation since:

2010.

Program:

Ongoing.