At Fresh Start, I discovered that people can show love to people they don’t even know. I had never even thought of that before. It changed everything for us.

Why build a House of Homes?

There is currently a housing crisis in Elgin-St. Thomas with over 1200 people waiting for social housing. But, there is a hidden group of people not even on this list. Mothers will often choose to stay in abusive situations to avoid taking their children to shelter or the street. These are the women Fresh Start Support Services empowers. Instead of helping them to get on a housing wait list, we are building them a house ourselves, so women can experience the dignity of their own home within a safe community. We are calling it a House of Homes.

What will the House of Homes be?

Our House of Homes will be a three-story dwelling, containing 12 apartments, a large communal space, and some offices. Three apartments will be fully accessible, and all common areas barrier free. Moreover, in partnership with the city's Women & Family Housing Stability Advisory Group, two apartments will be designated for women-led families experiencing acute homelessness. Renderings of our new House of Homes can be found below.

Why Should I Support the House of Homes?

By supporting this year’s House of Homes capital campaign, you join a group of people committed to creating safe, supported homes. You join us in fostering the notion of home in the larger sense — the community sense — as a place where even strangers care for one another, and prosperity is the reward for prioritizing people. Join us in building a House of Homes so that vulnerable women with a terrible past can gain a fresh start and build a brand-new future for their children.

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HOUSE OF HOMES RENDERINGS

APARTMENT UNITS

We are very excited to share the apartment layout and 3D renderings for our House of Homes project! The new three story building will consist of twelve two-bedroom apartments, with three of these units being fully accessible. Our prayer is that these spaces would become a place of healing and hope for all of the families who will come to live here, as they begin their fresh start.

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PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

Asbestos abatement and remediation of old group home finalized (February 9, 2023);
Demolition permit obtained (February 22, 2023);
Complete demolition of old building (Finalized March 24, 2023);
Site plan application approved (November 2023);
Drawings finalized building permit application submitted (March 2024);
Build new 12-unit apartment dwelling with additional communal program space and offices (breaking ground Spring 2024);
Select 10 families for our transitional housing program (in partnership with Coordinated Access St. Thomas-Elgin and other local partners, Winter 2024);
Dedicate 2 units to emergency housing for women-led families experiencing acute homelessness (in partnership with Coordinated Access St. Thomas-Elgin, and Women & Family Housing Stability Advisory Group St. Thomas-Elgin);