By Aaron Schulze

Melfort affordable housing project to host families escaping domestic violence

Aug 20, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Construction for a new affordable housing project in Melfort aims to take in women and children dealing with domestic violence.

The unit which is funded through North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS), the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Canada, features two two-bedroom suites and two four-bedroom suites for larger families.

Louise Schweitzer, Executive Director of NEOSS, said Saskatchewan has twice the national average for domestic violence statistics.

“This isn’t an accident. Violence is a choice, and someone is making a conscious choice to end someone else’s life,” Schweitzer said. “With a home like this four families will now have a safe place to rebuild and heal, but really to remove the violence out of their lives because it’s something that’s taught. If children can learn to live non-violently, then they’ll go out to live non-violently.”

Schweitzer said the families will have daily contact with NEOSS support staff, so they can be assisted with life skills or coping with trauma and PTSD.

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A project such as this was something the late Melfort MLA Kevin Phillips felt strongly about, and current MLA Todd Gouly said it’s humbling to follow his footsteps.

“He would be awfully excited,” Gouly said. “This is something he had in his heart for a long time; he would be celebrating for sure.”

Construction for the project began in June, and NEOSS hopes to see it complete by Apr. 1, 2019.

Families from as far as Kelvington and Porcupine Plain can stay in the low rental housing unit for six to 12 months and can move on once they feel strong enough. Whoever has the greatest need after the interview process with NEOSS will be given priority to move in.

Schweitzer said NEOSS is still looking for donations to help furnish the unit once construction is complete.

aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow