Work begins on new Victoria home for at-risk women
The Anawim Companion Society has broken ground on a new housing facility that will provide a safe haven for Greater Victoria women who are at risk of homelessness or who are fleeing violence.
The project has been a dream of the society for many years and was made possible thanks to a generous donor who donated the land where the home will be located. Funding for the construction of the new home is supported by Aryze Developments, the Victoria Foundation and individual donors.
“There are very few facilities that are just women only,” said Anawim Companion Society president Dan Greco. “Women have unique challenges and traumas that are specific to them and this is a very much needed service that’s lacking in Victoria right now.”
The new two-storey house is located in Victoria and will offer seven private rooms. Each resident will have their own private bathroom and have access to a communal kitchen and living spaces.
“The design of the building provides security and privacy from within,” said Greco. “It allows the residents there to remain private and the angles and the viewpoints are designed so that house remains safe for the residents and offers the privacy that we feel they need.”
The residents of the home will also receive individualized one-on-one support for women who are experiencing health issues, who are in crisis due to violence or who are at risk of becoming homeless.
The Anawim Companion society believes that by offering a "family" atmosphere while building connections for its clients, it will help them regain the confidence to live their best lives.
“Our model at Anawim House is that family model where connection and relationship is the opposite of addiction or personal chaos,” said Greco. “By providing the safety and all the necessary support people need bets helps that person regain their self-confidence and to hope again.”
The society says the need is great for a secure women's-only facility. It points to the 2020 Greater Victoria Point-In-Time Homeless Count and Needs Survey that reported there were 487 women who were homeless in Victoria.
Due to the need to maintain the security requirements of the facility, the society will not be disclosing the location of the home.
“We will be in great demand and there is a huge demand out there," said Greco.
The Anawim Companion Society hopes to have construction completed and the new secure housing facility open by summer 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.