Triveri House will provide 38 suites for Calgary's homeless youth
Some young homeless Calgarians are now going to have a permanent roof over their heads after a Forest Lawn building opened for the city's vulnerable population.
The Triveri House on 10th Avenue southeast had a virtual opening on Thursday. According to a release, it features 37 resident units with one transitional suite, as well as a communal kitchen and living areas for Calgary's youth.
"Housing is essential for health and well-being as Calgary's frigid winter temperatures continue to drop amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Soon 38 youth will have a warm, safe place to call home at The Triveri House," says the release.
Triveri House is meant to be a home to men and women aged 18 to 24 who are experiencing either chronic or episodic homelessness. They can stay until they are 29 years old.
Patricia Jones, president and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation, says the building will help youth who either need a couple months of help or more permanent support.
"At any point in time, there are about 500 homeless youth in the city, and we have quite a few on the waiting list to get housed, so this is such a cool opportunity," she said.
"It's really bringing them in wraparound services so they can learn how to be housed well and then kind of get them back on the path to life so they can contribute to the community."
Mady Stone, a 23-year-old on the youth advisory committee for the Calgary Homeless Foundation, says between the ages of 16 to 21, she spent her years couch surfing, sleeping in shelters and on the streets.
She says what is great about the Triveri House is that residents can stay and access the support longer than typical programs since the cut-off for many is 25.
"It's going to be really helpful for a lot of people who aren't quite ready for independence yet or are more independent than living in a group home," she said.
Stone also says a project like this helps homeless and vulnerable youth build a healthy community.
"When you're in a traumatic situation like homelessness, it's hard to get stable," she said.
"Having the Triveri House go to 29 sort of allows an opportunity for mentorship to the younger youth from the older."
The project was a joint effort between the Calgary Homeless Foundation, HomeSpace Society, Resolve Campaign, Calbridge Homes and Enviros.
Residents can start moving into Triveri House by the end of the month.