Ottawa, 27 November 2024 – Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially open the first Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC)-supported second stage transitional housing (SSTH) new build. Located in Sussex, New Brunswick, “Doors of Hope” is Sussex Vale Transition House’s new five-unit facility designed to provide safe, secure, and supportive transitional housing for women and children fleeing violence.
WSC’s SSTH New Build project is a four-year project funded by The Slaight Family Foundation that aims to support up to 16 second stage transitional housing new build projects across Canada. SSTH is a form of transitional supportive housing for survivors of domestic violence who are at risk of danger post-separation and need additional time and support to heal from their trauma and rebuild their lives.
“Second stage housing provides an affordable housing option for women impacted by Canada’s housing crisis,” said Anuradha Dugal, executive director of Women’s Shelters Canada. “Second stage housing was created from an identified need for affordable, longer-term housing with specific security measures and specialized programming for survivors of violence in response to increased family violence and unaffordable housing across the country. In New Brunswick alone, intimate partner violence has increased by 22% since 2009.”
Located in a confidential location for the safety of its participants, Sussex Vale Transition House’s new project offers more than just a place to live. The facility includes shared spaces such as a children’s playroom, a community room, and other key amenities like a laundry room, executive office, and boardroom, all designed to help residents regain their independence and transition to permanent housing.
“This project is an essential part of our mission to provide survivors of gender-based violence with not only a safe place but also the supportive services they need to rebuild their lives,” said Julie Matthews, Executive Director of Sussex Vale Transition House. “These new units will give women and children a space where they can continue their healing journey and work towards independence, free from the threat of violence.”
WSC provided free project management services for Sussex Vale Transition House since 2023 and a grant of $112,500. This new second stage housing project was also made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Federal Government of Canada, the Government of New Brunswick, the town of Sussex, local foundations, and many individuals from the local community, who have contributed funding, expertise, and resources to ensure its success.
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For media enquiries, contact:
Kaitlin Geiger-Bardswich, Director of Communications and Advocacy, Women’s Shelters Canada
kbardswich@endvaw.ca
Julie Matthews, Executive Director, Sussex Vale Transition House
executive.director@svth.ca
Women’s Shelters Canada brings together 16 provincial and territorial shelter organizations and supports the over 600 shelters across the country for women and children fleeing violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you can find your nearest women’s shelter and its crisis line on www.sheltersafe.ca.
Since 1991, Sussex Vale Transition House, located in Sussex, New Brunswick, is a province-wide emergency safe housing and programming model for survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. For more information about Sussex Vale Transition House and the services they provide, visit www.svth.ca.