‘Fills a critical need’: YWCA Lethbridge opens new long-term transitional housing program

A first-of-its-kind program to help women and children fleeing violence transition into long-term housing in Lethbridge has officially opened.

Officials at the YWCA Lethbridge and District hope a new program can help support women and children who are looking to move beyond crisis but still face safety and stability barriers.

The YWCA launched its Hope program Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s that medium phase, it’s that second stage where individuals that are fleeing domestic violence or have experienced gender-based violence are able to move into more stable and grounding spaces where they can truly recover,” said CEO Jill Young.

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The program is the first-of-its-kind in Lethbridge and will offer life skills supports and case management to women and children fleeing domestic violence.

The YWCA renovated one of its floors to include individual spaces and a communal kitchen -- doubling the number of beds available.

Young says the length of stay in the program will be between six to 18 months, compared to the 21 to 30-day stay at the Harbour House Emergency Shelter.

“When you’ve already experienced a lot of various barriers in your life – including going through a very traumatic experience – being able to jump straight into market housing can be extremely difficult, so this really fills that gap,” Young explained. “We are able to provide that long-term stability and allow that recovery to happen.”

She says once individuals join the program, space within the Harbour House will become available, allowing for more women and children to access resources and emergency supports.

The City of Lethbridge provided nearly $600,000 in capital and operational funding for the program through the federal government’s Reaching Home program.

“This project represents a critical housing need in our community with transitional beds,” said Andrew Malcolm, City of Lethbridge community social development general manager.

The Hope program will be able to support between 12 to 18 women and children at a time, according to Young.

In 2024, the YWCA Lethbridge and District provided more than 20,000 services and supports to women and children.

The YWCA will begin to accept intake referrals for the program, with capacity expected to be reached within a month.

“This is not a women problem, this is not a gender problem, this is a people problem, and we need to continue to address and face what is happening in our community and across Canada,” said Young.