Grand Opening of Balwin Place
Edmonton – Members of the community, stakeholders, and all orders of government gathered today to celebrate the Grand Opening of Balwin Place, a supportive housing project in the Balwin neighbourhood, managed in part by the George Spady Society. Permanent Supportive Housing is an evidence-based approach that combines affordable housing with support services for people experiencing homelessness. Balwin Place features 25 self-contained one-bedroom suites, including three barrier-free units for residents who have mobility issues.
“This much needed PSH is helping our community move forward to achieve our collective goal of ending homelessness in Edmonton,” said Susan McGee, CEO of Homeward Trust Edmonton. “This project is an important contribution towards the 916 units of PSH that we urgently require as identified in A Place to Call Home: Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.”
“The George Spady Society has over 35 years of experience working with some of our cities most vulnerable citizens,” said Lorette Garrick the Executive Director of the agency. “This new building provides an exciting opportunity for us to work closely with new partners, community agencies, and participants. We strive in all of our programs to ensure that individual’s dignity is paramount and to adhere to accredited, recognized best practices.”
“All Albertans deserve a safe and affordable place to call home. We are proud to work with partners like Homeward Trust to improve access to support and make life better for Albertans impacted by homelessness,” said Honourable Irfan Sabir, Minister of Community and Social Services. “Our ongoing commitment to affordable housing and supports is a key way our government is making life better for all Albertans.”
“The Government of Canada is proud to support Homeward Trust Edmonton whose project will help to reduce homelessness in northeast Edmonton,” said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “Every segment of our society must be treated with dignity and respect and be given the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. This project is supported by the Homelessness Partnering Strategy program and is a prime example of how providing stable housing for more people can build local capacity to address homelessness and make a real difference in the lives of community homeless populations.”
A team of on-site workers provides support to Balwin Place residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Programming uses a harm reduction approach and will be varied, flexible, and responsive to meet each resident’s needs. Staff will provide residents with a stable home environment, including opportunities to integrate into the community. Residents will also be able to access mobile healthcare services.
Balwin Place would not have become a reality without the support of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments. This project was funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy program and a grant from the CMHC Seed Funding Program to develop a business plan and preliminary drawings. Capital funding came through the Alberta Social Housing Corporation, Government of Alberta. Alberta Health Services provides annual funding for the team of specialist health professionals who support this project.
Please Note: A late addition to the Balwin Place opening is a rooftop dedication ceremony for Ryan Arcand, whose viral video of him playing the piano caught the attention of the world. Balwin Place was his last home.
