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New 'supportive roommates' housing available to at-risk youth in Cochrane

New 'supportive roommates' housing available to at-risk youth in Cochrane

A program in southern Alberta is looking for adults who will temporarily take in a teenager or live with a young adult at risk of homelessness.

The Safe Coach program in Cochrane, Alta., matches 13 to 24-year-olds with host families who provide stable home environments for at-risk youth during periods of transition or conflict at home.

Now, the program is rolling out a "supportive roommate" living arrangement, which requires less involvement from volunteers and is geared toward helping older individuals between the ages of 17 and 24.

More than just housing

The program's request for volunteers comes at a time when the Western Rocky View Family and Community Resource Centre is seeing increased risk of homelessness within the young adult demographic.

"It's exciting to be exploring this new area of supportive roommates, and it's certainly a bit of a challenge to recruit for host homes and supportive roommates," said Cydney Korner, a support worker for family and youth within the program.

"So we're hoping to get the word out for that," she told The Homestretch Monday.

Host homes are short-term housing placements, typically for teens, which provide an opportunity to ease tension and develop strategies for managing difficult situations.

"We work with the family to identify the source of conflict and work with both the teens and parents on conflict resolution skills to hopefully move towards reunification when that's possible," she said.

The new supportive roommate housing, on the other hand, will be a longer-term placement for more independent young adults in transition.

Korner said the Safe Coach program also helps connect clients with supportive services, including educational programs and counselling.

45 families helped

If someone is selected as a supportive roommate, Korner said Safe Coach will work closely with that person to help them understand what the expectations and goals are for the young people.

"So, what does it look like in their home in order to facilitate a match that would hopefully be successful?" she said.

Korner said host families range from families with young children to parents with children who have moved out. Supportive roommates must be at least 18-years-old.

"We meet quite regularly and keep communication consistent with our supportive roommates and host homes to ensure that everyone's feeling supported and things are safe."

The Safe Coach program offers a per diem for food and utility costs associated with housing someone, but it's largely a volunteer position.

"We're very lucky that people are so kind and willing to open up their homes," she said.

Over the last three years, 45 families have been helped through the Safe Coach program.

People who are interested in being a host family or supportive roommate can reach out to the Western Rocky View Community Resource Centre.

With files from The Homestretch