MNFC Media Release: Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre to receive $1.5 million for Rapid Housing Initiative

For immediate release Oct. 21, 2021

Kjipuktuk - Halifax, NS

Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre to receive $1.5 million for Rapid Housing Initiative

-Statement -

On behalf of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre I want to thank Premier Houston and Minister Lohr for the Province’s support of our Diamond Bailey House project which will see $1.5 million in funding contributed to the essential wrap around services required to address urgent housing needs in our community.

The Diamond Bailey House takes its name from people who dedicated their entire lives to successfully addressing the volatile and often harmful circumstances Indigenous people experience. In this spirit our approach to rapid housing is to transition people from insecure and intermittent conditions to longer-term housing options. Throughout the pandemic we’ve seen our homeless clients more than double and the necessity to build critical social and physical infrastructure compound.

This project will begin to address the crucial and mounting housing needs of the urban Indigenous population in a more holistic and comprehensive way by providing 32 shelter beds, 11 dorm style rooms and 10 bachelor units. This facility would not have become a reality without all of our partners and the support of the Province of Nova Scotia, the NS Assembly of Mi’kmaq Chiefs, the Government of Canada and the City of Halifax.

Contact: Corinne@Groupatn.ca

902 209 3234