A new housing project in Lacombe will provide affordable transitional housing to at-risk male youth in the community.
Through its Affordable Housing Strategy, the City of Lacombe has provided $80,000 to Central Alberta Youth Unlimited (CAYU) to help with the purchase of a home that will have four beds available to youth ages 16 to 24. There will also be one bed for a house parent.
Char Lockhart, housing director for CAYU, said on Friday that they took possession of the house last week and they hope to have the beds available by this fall. They are doing some renovations, and seeking sponsors for beds and for setting up the rooms.
The plan for the YU-Turn Housing program, as it is called, is to charge each person $500 per month. Bed costs are actually closer to $1,400 per month to run so they are subsidized.
Some of the subsidization will come through Alberta Children and Family Services, for example, Lockhart said. They are also looking for private or business partners to sponsor beds to help make it affordable.
Besides a home, the program will also offer wrap-around services to the youth, such as for mental health and employment.
Lockhart said the target population is young men at risk of homelessness, under-education and under-employment. They are in situations that have prevented them from gaining the skills to become fully independent.
“There’s a significant need actually.”
Various community organizations have identified 30 to 40 people who would benefit from the program, so they expect the beds will be full immediately, she said.
“The reality is that we get calls monthly, probably eight to 10 calls, from different organizations looking for some type of housing for the young people that they’re working with. It doesn’t exist.
“This is a huge step. ... We have something tangible now, which is a great way for the community to get involved,” Lockhart said.
A lot of these young people would be falling through the cracks, for example they don’t have a home of their own and are couch-surfing. Some would be youth transitioning out of foster care or out of homes ill-equipped to help them transition to independence and reach their full potential, she said.
“In order to be a healthy community member, you need to be a contributing community member and so one of the philosophies we will abide by is there needs to be an element of service. For example, they will be expected to help their neighbours shovel a sidewalk or mow a lawn,” Lockhart said.
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