A new transitional housing option for women who have completed addictions treatment is open in Red Deer.
Abundant Safe Living House, a five-bedroom house in south Red Deer, will focus on helping women live an alcohol and drug-free life.
Director James White said it’s the only housing program like it in Central Alberta and it will help save lives.
“There is a real need out there. They walk out of the treatment centre and there’s no where to go. It’s way too easy to say — to hell with it, I’m nothing anyway so I might as well go get drunk. That’s just what happens,” White said.
White, who worked as an addictions counsellor in Calgary at the men’s long-term treatment facility Simon House Recovery Centre, grew up in Red Deer.
He renovated and painted the house that was donated for the Red Deer project to accommodate five clients.
An open house was held last week for community agencies that work with women with addictions.
“It’s going to be full here very shortly,” he said.
The privately operated home, which is applying for non-profit status, will provide affordable housing. Room and board will be $550 per month.
Clients must be 18 years or older and employed to pay for food and rent.
Participation in the house activities and daily chores is expected.
There will be zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use and the house will be run based on the 12-step program. Clients must attend at least five Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings per week.
White said he will look at applying for provincial grants to pay staff at the house.
Kath Hoffman, executive director, Central Alberta’s Safe Harbour Society for Health and Housing, said the region needs all sorts of housing to meet people’s needs and Abundant Safe Living House is a new type of service for the region.
“This is something we’re excited to have, another variety of housing in the community, especially focusing on women. We’re happy to partner and have this place as a referral,” Hoffman said.
Safe Harbour runs a detox and housing program and mostly deals with people in crisis compared to Abundant Safe Living House which will help women ready to transition back into the community.
For more information or to apply go online and visit abundantsafeliving.com.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate