The Mustard Seed, a not-for-profit organization, withdrew the rezoning proposal at the end of January for the Ramada Hotel for providing affordable housing and a resource centre. According to the organization’s managing director, The Mustard Seed did not receive funding from the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) by the federal government.
However, Byron Bradley remains positive.
“We’re disappointed, but we’re not defeated,” says Bradley, explaining The Mustard Seed is committed to its housing strategy. “We’re going to continue to try to find a solution for people that need a place that they could call home for the rest of their lives.”
The Mustard Seed, in addition to the rezoning proposal, was also working with a separate initiative at a different location. According to Bradley, the initiative is a substance-free shelter to provide for people without a home that is not struggling with substance abuse.
The Mustard Seed, in addition to the rezoning proposal, was also working with a separate initiative at a different location. According to Bradley, the initiative is a substance-free shelter to provide for people without a home that is not struggling with substance abuse.
“There’s a misconception that if someone’s homeless or experiencing poverty out in the streets, that they struggle with substance abuse,” says Bradley. However, the shelter will also be for people fighting for sobriety looking for a sober environment.
In addition to substance abuse and addiction, the most common reasons for the loss of housing according to the report were “job loss (15 per cent), inability to pay rent or mortgage (11 per cent), conflict with spouse/partner (13 per cent), and unsafe housing conditions (10 per cent).”
“We know that we’re new to Lethbridge,” says Bradley, explaining they have been reaching out to the community. “And it’s going to take time to build that trust and respect.”
For more information, The Mustard Seed can be reached at infolethbridge@theseed.ca or the organization’s Lethbridge website.
