WHY WE DO IT
A MINI VILLAGE OF OPPORTUNITY
The mini village provides opportunity for residents to rebuild beneficial lifestyle habits and community socialization in a safe environment.
Shelter alone is not sufficient. Support programs promoting self care are critical to address the unique challenges faced by people with multiple hard-to-house traits.
Offering support without providing a stable home environment is also inadequate. A safe, stable place to call home is essential for a person to resolve or manage multiple hard-to-house traits.
PHOTOVOICE
In Their Own Words
Photovoice is about giving power to marginalized community members and a platform to share their stories in a way that breaks hierarchies.
Photovoice allows people to share their experiences from a different means other than strictly relying on verbal skills.
MORE RESIDENT ARTWORK
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
UNDERSTANDING HARD-TO-HOUSE TRAITS
Members of our community who struggle to have safe and secure housing typically have multiple Hard-To-House traits. A key trait is not having family or friendship support. Being alone and isolated exasperates challenges and blocks resolutions. It is essential for people to live in community.
Hard-To-House Traits include:
- Lack esteem in their identity
- Socially disconnected
- Emotionally unsafe or insecure
- Physically unhealthy
- No housing or unstable housing
- Living in poverty
- Unable to be an employee
- Culturally devastated
- Cognitive challenges
- Lacking artistic, hobby or recreation opportunity
- Spiritual oppression
- Lacking skills to care for property and belongings
HOUSING DEFINITIONS
Homelessness
The situation of an individual or family without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it.
Unsheltered
Staying in places not designed or fit for human habitation.
Includes living in:
- forests
- makeshift cardboard shelters
- tents
- vehicles
Emergency Sheltered
Staying in a facility clustered with others who are also not able to secure permanent housing.
Includes programs facilities for:
- night hours only
- family members impacted by family violence
- people fleeing natural/home disasters.
Provisionally Accommodated
Staying in a temporary housing arrangement that does not offer permanent, secure housing. Includes:
- transitional housing
- other people’s housing closets or sofas
- a rental arrangement that lacks continuing residency
- institutional care facilities
- reception centers for immigrants & refugees
At-Risk of Homelessness
Living in housing situations that dangerously lacks security or stability due to external hardships including:
- poverty
- personal crisis
- discrimination
- unsanitary or overcrowded circumstances
- precarious employment
- sudden unemployment
- facing eviction
- breakdown in family relations
- living with violence
At-risk of homelessness includes persons with persistent:
- mental health illness
- active addictions
- behavior challenges
Housing First
A service approach that prioritizes providing housing to people who are homeless without pre-conditions such as sobriety, finances, or medical stability. Only when the basic need of shelter is in place, can individuals work on their wellness and quality of life challenges.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
IT WORKS
We are a community that simply reminds people they are never alone.
I feel human again.
-25 Year Old Male
I just got old and problems grew. If not at Eagle's Nest, I would probably be living on the street.
-Senior Citizen Male
I finally have a home.
-Male in his 40s
Resident Demographics
January 2024
77% Men
23% Women
26% Seniors <55 Yrs
19% Young Adults >30 Yrs
29% Indigenous