MOOSE JAW — Since officially ramping up operations in April, Square One Community Inc.’s supportive housing program has already helped 22 individuals transition out of chronic homelessness and into homes of their own.
With full staffing now in place, the program — headquartered at William Milne Place — is showing results that board chair Della Ferguson describes as both profound and life-changing.
“We’ve already housed 22 people since April 1,” Ferguson said. “That’s when we (received) our full staff increment, and so William Milne is filled. We are now filling other scattered supportive housing sites, but they still get the same support, and the difference is profound.”
William Milne Place has a capacity of 15 units. To meet additional need, Square One has expanded into what are known as “scattered sites” — independent housing units in the community arranged through partnerships with local landlords. Residents placed in these sites still receive the same wraparound supports as those living at William Milne.
“We have built relationships with different landlords in our community and they welcome that, because they know these tenants are going to be supported in their journey …,” said Ferguson. “So it’s a win-win in that sense, right?”
The program works with individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and provides both housing and ongoing therapeutic support from trained staff.
“The work that’s being done daily in these therapeutic relationships that our staff are building with the people we serve is just outstanding,” she said. “We’re such believers in the value of this, and we really do believe that this is going to make a difference. It already has (made a difference) in people’s lives, but (it will also make a difference) in the life of our community.”
The goal is to give individuals not just a roof over their heads, but a chance to feel safe, supported, and connected to others — something Ferguson said can be life-altering.
“You know, these are people who were unhoused and experiencing chronic homelessness. Twenty-two now have a home to call their own,” she said, alluding to the film published by Square One and the John Howard Society, “A Home to Call My Own,” that premiered on Nov. 17, 2024.
“That sense of safety that they feel when their door is unlocked and they’re shown their own place for the first time — there’s just a neat sense of relief,” she added.
Square One continues to seek funding to expand the program’s staffing and reach, including its planned participation in the third annual “Friendraiser” networking event on Aug. 14 in Regina. For now, Ferguson said the team is simply grateful to witness steady progress being made.
“(This experience) is beyond our imagination,” she said. “I can’t imagine the difference this makes for them. We are passionate, and we really believe in (doing our part to help them embrace) this difference.”
William Milne Place is located at 132 Fairford Street West. For more information, visit SquareOneHousingMooseJaw.com or contact [email protected].
