New “Women’s Fire Lodge” will provide much needed housing in Edmonton

A new housing initiative in Edmonton is working to address homelessness among Indigenous women.

Iskwewak Iskotew Nihkotawan (Women’s Fire Lodge) will house 20 Indigenous women at risk of homelessness for stays up to 18 months. Each one bedroom unit will cost roughly $750 with everything included, a cheaper alternative than the average 1 bedroom in Edmonton, costing roughly $1000 per month.

Susan McGee is the CEO of Homeward Trust, an organization that provides support for those experiencing homelessness, and provides more details on what her and her team offer at Homeward Trust.

The new housing unit is in partnership with the Institute For The Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) and according to McGee, the new project will provide Indigenous culture within the units.

These new apartments and programming is a good start for women trying to find their way.

More details on Iskwewak Iskotew Nihkotawancan can be found here.