Alberta News

On March 16, Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta, announced $12 million in funding for the Mustard Seed Society to develop 112 housing units for homeless men and women. The housing grants will provide new supportive housing initiatives in Calgary and Edmonton, as well as expanded facilities at The Mustard Seed’s Mountain Aire Lodge near Sundre, Alberta.

“The Mustard Seed is privileged to have been selected to partner with the province to provide lasting, long-term support and housing for women and men across Alberta,” said The Mustard Seed Edmonton Executive Director, Sam Breakey.

Read more after the link, or go to www.theseed.ca or www.mustard.ab.ca to find out more.

The Mustard Seed calls its philosophy of safe, secure housing with integrated support services “Housing PLUS.” A place to call home is the first step in helping a homeless person rebuild his or her life.

“While we envision assisting homeless people overcome their circumstances with safe and secure accommodation, our plan will provide residents with much more than four walls and a roof. The unique circumstances and needs of each resident will lead to individualized support including life skills training, job skill upgrading, healthcare intervention and, most important, a strong community of understanding and support,” according to Breakey.

The next step for The Mustard Seed planning team in Edmonton is to determine appropriate locations for supportive housing. “We are depending upon the input and enthusiastic participation of community members and leaders, churches and businesses to make Edmonton a safer, cleaner, more accepting city,” said Breakey. “We believe these investments in decent, safe housing for our city’s most vulnerable will make a positive contribution to the neighbourhoods where housing is established.”

“Our vision remains clear,” said Sam Breakey, “We are committed to address poverty in greater Edmonton through the building of healthy community.” Housing PLUS is integral to this mission.