Fusion 22, Saskatoon's newest housing partnership
- EFN Staff | November 08, 2019
The provincial Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Paul Merriman and EGADZ announced a new housing partnership called Fusion 22. On October 25, the announcement was made on the new partnership which will give 22 families and young adults safe, secure housing and the support they need to create positive lifestyle changes and achieve their goals.
“Helping families care for their children is a top priority for our government,” Merriman said in a media release. “We welcome this opportunity to further our partnership with EGADZ and help families on their path to independence. We are excited to be a part of Fusion 22 and to support EGADZ’s good work in this community.”
Fusion 22 is based on EGADZ’s philosophy that all partners involved need to be “fused” together to work toward a common goal of supporting their clients to be more independent, employable and contributing residents of the province. Twenty-two refers to the number of units that will be used for the program.
Through this partnership, SHC will lease a 24-unit government-owned building in Saskatoon to EGADZ to help residents move toward independent living and to keep at-risk families together. Residents will live in 22 of the units, and the remaining two units will be used as offices for support staff.
“By taking existing housing resources that may be in need of repair and coupling that with human resources in need of support and a good home, we are able to offer employment, education and a clean and sober living environment to young families, and those aging out of care,” EGADZ Executive Director Don Meikle stated.
SHC will help EGADZ include a trades/training component to the program which will provide participants with training, employment experience, wages and the personal reward of helping people in the community.
EGADZ staff will lead this work as program participants make repairs to SHC buildings. In 2019-20, the ministry will provide more than $5.8 million to EGADZ to continue its innovative approach.