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Basics
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For over 35 years Phoenix Youth Programs has been working with and for youth, their families and communities in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS. Over this time, we have touched the lives of more than 10,000 youth ages 11-24, and their family members. Each time we engage with youth we learn about their needs, the challenges they face and the internal capacities they possess. We also learn about the capacity within our community, as well as structural gaps and inadequacies in services. Regardless of why these gaps exist, they are impacting the ability for youth and young families to move forward with the futures they want for themselves.
We are witnessing:
Crisis in the affordable housing and rental market
Increased stigmatization when youth try to access affordable housing
An ongoing lack of timely access to mental health supports
Increasing mental health needs due to the Covid-19 pandemic including fear for personal and family wellness, isolation (including fear of public transit), lack of in-person service access
Poverty and rising inflation (5.7% in NS between Feb. 2021 and 2022)
Violent and traumatic ongoing impacts of racism and discrimination
Lack of physical health supports (approximately 69,000 people in NS do not have a family doctor)
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Mission of the MSHC
To create a dynamic youth housing and services space that improves the wellbeing of each young person who enters.
The goals for the MSHC are to:
Goals
Goal 1: Provide sustainable housing within a multi-service housing centre to support youth and young families facing challenging contexts in Kjipuktuk/Halifax.
Goal 2: Integrate and coordinate service use across multiple agencies in the centre, providing more effective service delivery for youth and young families.
Goal 3: Provide a collaborative, dignified community space from square one, where community feels welcome, informed, included, and proud.
Goal 4: Provide an attractive, energy efficient and accessible facility that infuses a sense of dignity in its housing units and service users.
Goal 5: Form and strengthen relationships that are grounded in social justice, and rooted in the Social Determinants of Health.
The need is clear, and the timing is now for Phoenix to lift the MSHC Project into reality. After years of planning, analysis and building our capacity, we feel compelled to further tackle the growing pressures and barriers that youth are facing to open opportunities for hope and possibility through this impactful project.
Why Phoenix?
For over 35 years Phoenix Youth Programs has been working with and for youth, their families and communities in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS. Over this time, we have touched the lives of more than 10,000 youth ages 11-24, and their family members. Our approach is rooted in anti-oppressive practice. Our team of caring professionals excels at forming relationships with youth, families and communities. Phoenix supports a culture of learning, both in the formal and informal sense. We listen to the voices of those we have the privilege to support to create meaningful, lasting change.
Over the years Phoenix has received recognition for our impact locally, nationally and internationally. Our team of caring professionals recognizes that each person who comes to us has individual needs as well as strengths. People are the leaders in their own lives; Phoenix is a leader in supporting them.
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We are witnessing:
Crisis in the affordable housing and rental market
Increased stigmatization when youth try to access affordable housing
An ongoing lack of timely access to mental health supports
Increasing mental health needs due to the Covid-19 including fear for personal and family wellness, isolation (fear of public transit), lack of in-person service access
Poverty and rising inflation (5.7% in NS between Feb. 2021 and 2022)
Violent and traumatic ongoing impacts of racism and discrimination
Lack of physical health supports (over 60,000 people in NS do not have a family doctor)
This list is overwhelming, the need is clear, and action is required today to help address the current situation.
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For over 35 years Phoenix Youth Programs has been working with and for youth, their families and communities in Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS. Over this time, we have touched the lives of more than 10,000 youth ages 11-24, and their family members. Phoenix’s range of programs has been built over time by listening and responding to the needs to youth and community.
Our vision is based on our experience and expertise in youth work at a local level that has been recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Phoenix doesn’t follow short-term trends. Instead, we dig deeper to get address the heart of social justice issues, listening to youth and looking at the world around us. The idea for the MSHC has been percolating for nearly seven years and is even more relevant and necessary today.
The time is right for Phoenix to lift the MSHC Project into reality. After years of planning, analysis and building our capacity, we feel compelled to further tackle the growing pressures and barriers that youth are facing to open opportunities for hope and possibility through this impactful project.
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Phoenix believes rooting solutions to housing, health, and quality of life in the social determinants of health is an effective way to create long-term and holistic impacts. The Government of Canada recognizes and has done extensive research on the impacts of health inequities and the importance of understanding the social determinants of health.
Our vision is informed by the people we work with. Our vision is guided by the fact that we are all members of the Halifax community who believe a better way is possible.
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The centre includes both vibrant, active community space and private, safe housing. Connecting these spaces will be area that is akin to the idea of a “porch”, where space is still somewhat private, but also provides community access. The “porch” area is likely to include the childcare centre, community garden, etc.
This design concept is essential, as it provides space between the public and private areas which is critical to creating safe, dignified, non-institutionalized space.
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Everyone, with a focus on youth. Everything in the centre will be relevant to youth and their needs. Youth first, but a resource for the whole community!
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We don’t know exactly yet, but it will be on a bus route, no more than a 45-minute transit ride from downtown Kjipuktuk/Halifax.
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The services are all related to the social determinants of health. We anticipate the services will include, but not necessarily limited to:
Education and Employment services
Trusteeship Services
Housing Support
Service Agencies (legal, government, Indigenous, African NS, etc.)
Computer Bank
Laundromat
Food Services (Café)
Industrial Community Kitchen
Youth & Family Therapy
Child Care
Food Bank/Groceteria
Multipurpose Room
Performance Space/Stage (theatre/dance)
Art Gallery
Art Studio
Health Centre (holistic services)
Housing for youth
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At Phoenix we work hard to listen, learn, and be culturally responsive in all aspects of our work and relationships. We recognize the expertise of others. Therefore, we are working to bring partners into the project and centre who can help guide and offer direct provision of culturally inclusive and responsive supports. During the consultation process, we included the voices of many diverse groups in an effort to be culturally inclusive and responsive.
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Great question! We will ask youth to help us name this amazing place!
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Yes.
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Yes. We are aiming for a NetZero build, meaning we are exploring solar energy, grey water recycling systems, renewable heating options, and more. We will use scent-free and enviro-friendly cleaning agents in the building’s upkeep.
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Absolutely. Based on our consultations so far, being on a bus route is a top priority.
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Excellent question! There are many factors at play. Follow our progress by signing up for our newsletter.
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Follow our progress by signing up for our newsletter.
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There will be other service providers within the centre, some of whom will require moderate fees for goods and services. For example, we hope to have several partners in the centre who are social enterprises (i.e., café) [link to definition of social enterprise], who will require payment at with responsible rates. Phoenix’s services and supports are free to youth, except for rent-geared-to-income (RGI) for housing units.
Phoenix’s Lead
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Phoenix will own and operate the building, but there will be other service providers within the centre who deliver services that Phoenix doesn’t specialize in. This is a community effort!
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To be determined. If you’re interested in becoming a partner, contact us. Follow our progress by signing up for our newsletter.
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Some are, some are not. We will continue to work in the community of Mulgrave Park and from the drop-in centre on Coburg Rd. Also, the centre is an expansion of our housing continuum, not a replacement for our current options (Phoenix Youth Shelter, Phoenix House, Phoenix Homes for Independence, and scattered site supportive housing)
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Youth are the core of everything we do at Phoenix. Youth have participated in online and in-person consultations. We are building a Wisdom Table where youth members will play a critical role in directing the design and programmatic elements to ensure relevancy and inclusivity for youth.
Housing Component
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We anticipate 18-20 housing units will be part of the project.
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We will have a mix of studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units
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Typically youth ages 16-24 in housing need who are ready to live semi-independently, and are willing to engage in Phoenix’s wrap-around services.
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Phoenix has a continuum of housing options. If you are a youth and are in need of housing, contact us. If you are in housing crisis, contact us Toll free: 1-888-878-5088 any time.
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The rent in the units will be based on a rent-geared-to-income model, meaning residents will pay no more than 30% of their monthly income.
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No. The housing as part of the multi-service housing centre is based on a foyer model. A foyer model is one where all youth have their own units, but there will be always staff on site for support. There are also communal spaces for life skill development, case management, and programming. Youth need to be ready for supported, independent living and be ready to act on their preferred path to reach their goals. If you are in housing crisis, contact us 24/7.
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Yes. Restrictions will apply.
Getting Involved
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Yes! We are actively seeking the voices of diverse groups in our community.
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Youth Consultations… Community consultations will be taking place. If you have thoughts that you’d like to share outside of a formal consultation, please do!
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Questions and comments are always welcome.
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Absolutely! We will have several opportunities to tour the facility within the first month of opening. We will also provide ongoing tours upon request for the non-residential areas of the building.
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Yes! There will be community spaces, such as a multi-purpose room with stage, an industrial kitchen, a cultural circle, meeting rooms and even turn-key offices for rent.
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Some personnel will be needed to help us operate this amazing space. Phoenix may also be hiring right now for current roles. Check out our job postings.
Funding
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Approximately $50 Million. There’s no doubt that’s a big number. We are building a substantial community resource that will have long-term positive impacts for our community. We are all about dignity and are dediated to being compromising in our vision. Youth deserve this. We see this as a is a rare opportunity to build big and impactful. It can only happen through the support of many. Let’s build something big. Together!
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It can only happen through the support of many. Collectively every gift, no matter the size, brings us closer to realizing this vision.
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Visit our site to donate now or contact us.