Transitional Housing
In April 2021, EFry NWO established low-barrier transitional housing for women and gender-diverse people experiencing severe forms of marginalization. This includes criminalized individuals living with mental health differences, substance use health needs, and other adversities.
EFry NWO is recognized as providing housing for individuals who are vulnerable and face significant challenges in finding and maintaining housing. We prioritize filling local housing gaps for Indigenous women* and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, who are especially vulnerable to gender-based violence and systemic oppression.
The Transitional Housing Program is grounded in the principles of harm reduction that are responsive to the diverse and evolving needs of the individuals that we serve. The focus of our housing is to help individuals find and maintain permanent housing consistent with their individual needs. The EFry Circle of Care uses an approach that considers the impacts of trauma in all aspects of service delivery and prioritizes the individual’s safety, choice, and control.
EFry NWO provides residents with a fully furnished home, offering both private and semi-private rooms, and with sufficient food, household items and hygiene items upon their moving in. Residents also have access to seasonally appropriate clothing, transportation assistance and access to our biweekly food bag program. Throughout their occupancy, the residents are supported by 2 System Navigators, the Reintegration Navigator, and the Overnight Harm Reduction Support, who work in collaboration to provide a Circle of Care. We currently have one Harm Reduction Overnight Support who oversees the homes 4 evenings per week. Staff attend the homes daily to meet with the residents, hold house meetings, carry out programming, and resolve any conflicts.
Photo credit: Robyn Saxberg, PMCP | EFSNWO
We offer both harm-reduction-based, low-barrier transitional housing and a more structured transitional home for individuals well on their recovery journey. This allows us to maintain housing security for individuals through life’s inevitable ups and downs. If an individual living in the Cameron St. home becomes unable to comply with the level of structure, they can be transferred into the lower barrier home to work on stabilization. This allows us to prevent re-entry into homelessness and continue providing support to the individual when otherwise they may be discharged into the shelter system. This supports the notion that recovery is often cyclical and not linear.
Photo credit: Robyn Saxberg, PMCP | EFSNWO
#CommunityStrongerTogether
- Referrals from our housing program are made to Balmoral Detox Centre, Norwest Community Health Centres, RAAM, Elevate NWO, VAW Shelters, Income Supports, and Treatment Centres.
- Thunder Bay Correctional Centre social workers collaborate with EFry NWO on release planning which often includes referral to our transitional housing. They also notify us when an individual is about to be released and is in need of housing.
- Norwest Community Health Centre: Delivers the Safe Supply program to participating residents of our harm reduction housing. EFry NWO houses participants of the safe supply program whenever possible.
- We are members of the Thunder Bay Regional Food Distribution Association and receive food for our food bank for individuals to access every two weeks.
- TBDSSAB: Provides rental agreements between EFry NWO, the resident, and OW/ODSP.
- Ontario Works / ODSP provides basic needs income and rent for individuals.
- Support for residents is provided in part by our System Navigators, who are funded by Reaching Home, an initiative of the Federal Government.
- Thunder Bay District Health Unit Street Nursing Team and Norwest Community Health Centre: Provides primary healthcare to residents of EFry NWO transitional housing.
Photo credit: Robyn Saxberg, PMCP | EFSNWO
Contact Information:
System Navigator
bonnie.aggamway@efsnwo.com
Housing Manager
kayla.baxendale@efsnwo.com
Overnight Harm Reduction Support
raeanne.oflaherty@efsnwo.com
Generously funded by:
