Social justice group opens first low-income, holistic housing complex in Moncton

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead, cultural anthropologist

The latest example of Mead’s axiom was evident in the smiling faces and celebratory atmosphere accompanying the opening of a new, holistic housing complex for low-income single women and mothers at 12 Pine St. in Moncton on June 9.

The 15-unit, holistic housing development was unveiled by Housing for Life Inc., a new Moncton social justice group.

The Marie-Anne Résidence on Pine Street is much more than a typical housing development. The idea for the residence came from participants in a social justice class organized by Sister Auréa Cormier and animated by Nicolas Kalgora.

“The class consisted of 10 sessions focusing on the social analysis of various injustices in our midst,” Cormier said. “By the fourth class, the participants said they wanted to go beyond learning about injustice to actually doing something about it.”

Following a process of discernment, the class decided to tackle the issue of poverty amongst women and their families in New Brunswick. Discernment is a process of prayer, investigation of, and reflection on, a specific situation to determine what is the best, most loving, response to that situation a person or group can take.

More specifically, they opted to develop low-income housing for single mothers and their children, and for women living alone on a meager budget. As a result, they formed a non-profit organization to build affordable, subsidized housing for low-income single mothers and women living alone.

“Single women living alone and single mothers are the most likely to be living in poverty,” Cormier said. “The Marie-Anne Résidence improves their financial situation, allowing them to purchase nutritious food, clothe themselves and cover additional basic needs.”

“The Pine Street project means 15 women-led households now have access to subsidized apartments at monthly rents which correspond to 30 per cent of their income, beginning at less than $200 per month.”

The tenants will have access to a lovely collective garden at the end of their block and Victoria Park a block away.

Housing for Life’s holistic approach to low-income housing is evident in its arrangements with the YWCA to help the renters reach their full potential. Through the YWCA, tenants in the Marie-Anne Résidence will have available to them training in life skills, education in financial literacy, and opportunities for self-development.

As may be needed, a YWCA worker can also refer renters to essential services, including help with addictions. The YWCA also provides in-home support visits to the tenants.

To build the residence, Housing for Life selected SheBuilds Communities for Life, a construction company owned and operated by Donna Ferguson. SheBuilds was born out of the realization that women are over-represented among people needing affordable housing, but under-represented in those building these homes.

Ferguson wanted to see construction crews that made women feel comfortable. To do that, she “found the right partners and launched New Brunswick’s first all-female carpentry course,” and “we started building homes and opportunity.”

The two-storey apartment building on Pine Street cost $3,580,000 to build. Private donations from individuals and community groups brought in $1.7 million, including a remarkable $1.1 million donation from a resident of Moncton who was moved to help people in need. The province of New Brunswick provided a forgivable loan of $1,235,000 through its Affordable Rental Housing Program.

Nicolas Kalgora served as the animator for the social justice class organized by Cormier. “We were engaged in the social analysis of injustices, and learning about the dynamics of poverty,” Kalgora said. “We felt compassion for people who had no home and nowhere to go, and we wanted to do something to help.”

Kalgora also said those who may want to help Housing for Life can contact HFL’s Administrative Assistant, Rhada Elkhadir, at (506-588-5580) or visit the HFL website at: https://www.hforlife-hpourlavie.ca/en/contact

Sister Marie-Eva Gaudet was a participant in the social justice class organized by Cormier. She joined the class to learn more about justice issues, and joined the  Housing for Life committee formed by class members.

“We realized that single-parent families, particularly those led by women, were bearing the brunt of the housing crisis,” Gaudet said. “By providing housing for these women, we were placing ourselves in the forefront of a fundamental social justice issue.”

“These homes are not just walls, but the beginning of a new life,” she said.  “Forming Housing for Life is a concrete way of giving voice and security to women who have been deprived of it.”

“Working together – solidarity – makes what seems impossible possible.”

Gaudet said the social justice class organized by Cormier raised the participants’ awareness and knowledge of poverty and the precarious situation of women and children living in poverty.

Perhaps the best news of all is that the Marie-Anne Résidence is not a “one and done” project. Land for a second residence to help families in poverty has already been acquired. That is indeed cause for celebration.

Dallas McQuarrie is an NB Media Co-op writer living on unceded Mi’kmaq territory. He was involved in the social justice courses that led to the creation of Housing for Life Inc., writing spiritual reflections for each of the classes.