Victoria – Sacred Cradle House (1011 Fort Street)
Photo caption: example image of contractors building out a supportive housing unit.
We are pleased to share that BC Housing has selected the Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society (ACEHS) to operate the 15 new culturally supportive homes at 1011 Fort St, in Victoria. The four-storey building is expected to open in the fall. It is known as Sacred Cradle House or XEXE PAHLATSIS LELUM in lək̓ʷəŋən (lekwangen).
Sacred Cradle House will provide safe, secure housing with supports for Indigenous women and gender diverse people who are pregnant or have recently given birth, and who are at risk of homelessness or leaving violence.
Homelessness during pregnancy is associated with challenges like early delivery and low birth weight, among others. This is why it is so important that people who are pregnant have access to safe, secure and stable housing, with connections to medical care and other services.
Services & Supports
Each culturally supportive home will be a studio apartment with washroom and kitchen. Residents will have access to meals, laundry facilities and a variety of culturally appropriate health and wellness supports. Services on the site will include:
- An on-site house manager
- One-on-one life and parenting skills training for residents by an Indigenous Elder
- On-site doctor and community nurse (1 to 2 days per week)
- Indigenous doula to provide pre- and post-birth care
- Access to infant formula, diapers and other childcare items
About the Operator
ACEHS will operate this building under their XEXE PAHLATSIS LELUM (Sacred Cradle House) program. ACEHS is a non-profit and registered charitable organization with a sole focus on supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples experiencing homelessness. Learn more about ACEHS by visiting acehsociety.com.
This culturally supportive housing meets a critical need to keep Indigenous families united and strong and to help them thrive. Given Canada’s history of colonialism, ACEHS and BC Housing are pleased to be taking this opportunity to walk together towards Truth and Reconciliation.
BC Housing gratefully acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional and ancestral homelands of Indigenous Peoples and Nations across British Columbia. This project is located on the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, today known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
Questions
A caring community can contribute greatly to the success of supportive housing residents. BC Housing and ACEH are committed to being a good neighbour and keeping lines of communication open.
We welcome questions and comments by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.