Monday marked the opening of a brand new transitional housing undertaking for ladies affected by home violence in Laval – a undertaking 15 years within the making.
The $6.9 million undertaking known as “Protect of Athena Household Providers: MH2 L’Odyssée” is made up of 17-units. It is going to supply inexpensive housing and group help to extremely susceptible girls and their kids in Laval.
Up to now, 24 people have already settled in these models.
“It’s to assist present them with a serving to hand, with extra time in order that they’ll get on their toes, discover a job, and cope with their kids correctly,” mentioned Melpa Kamateros, government director of Protect of Athena.
The constructing was an initiative of Protect of Athena, a non-profit group that gives providers to girls who’re victims of home or family-member violence and their kids and to minority communities.
“In the present day’s announcement is about greater than only a constructing. It’s about creating an actual pathway to security, stability, and the basic proper of each girl and youngster to stay independently and free from violence,” mentioned Emmanuella Lambropoulos, Saint-Laurent liberal MP.
Chrysanthe Sclavounakis-Nakis, president of the non-profit, mentioned the undertaking was 15 years within the making.
“In 2010, after our caseworkers advised us in regards to the difficulties girls face once they go away our shelter, the board of administrators determined to offer longer-term help to fulfill the necessity for protected and accessible housing,” Sclavounakis-Nakis mentioned.
“When a girl makes the courageous determination to depart violence behind, she is not going to be alone,” mentioned Lambropoulos. “She is not going to be compelled to decide on between security and survival.”
In a press launch Monday, Quebec’s Ministry of Housing mentioned the undertaking obtained monetary help from governments at ranges.
The federal government of Quebec contributed almost $2 million to the undertaking via Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ), whereas the federal authorities and the Metropolis of Laval funded almost $1 million every.
“Our authorities is dedicated to making sure that group organizations, like Protect of Athena, have the sources they want,” mentioned Lambropoulos.
Tenants may additionally profit from rental help collectively funded by SHQ and the Metropolis of Laval.
“Every new undertaking of this sort strengthens our community of shelters and our dedication to face in opposition to violence in all its types,” mentioned Caroline Proulx, Quebec’s minister for housing and standing of girls.
“Since 2020, the Metropolis has supported 1,078 social and inexpensive housing models – together with 49 particularly for ladies and households fleeing violence – via three important initiatives,” Laval Mayor Stéphane Boyer mentioned.
