Housing
Safe Harbour: Homes with heart and hope
A new supportive housing program for youth and single mothers in Surrey, BC
DIVERSEcity’s Safe Harbour is a transformative transitional housing program designed to support youth and young mothers fleeing violence and experiencing housing instability in Surrey.
Developed through a strong partnership with SideBySide Children’s Village Society, Safe Harbour provides safe, supportive housing and wraparound services for youth aged 16 to 30 who are escaping violence, facing homelessness, aging out of care or navigating complex life circumstances.
DIVERSEcity operates three homes, supporting two homes for youth and one for young moms, prioritizing support for Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young moms who often face disproportionate barriers to housing and stability.
More than just a place to live, Safe Harbour will offer residents access to services that foster foster long-term wellbeing and independence, including:
- individualized case management
- mental health supports
- employment and education pathways
- life-skills development
- community connections
The partnership between DIVERSEcity and SideBySide Children’s Village Society reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that vulnerable youth have access to safe housing and the supports they need to thrive. By combining SideBySide’s expertise in child and youth care with DIVERSEcity’s strengths in settlement, mental health, employment and community-based services, Safe Harbour offers a holistic response to youth homelessness and violence prevention.
The initiative has been made possible through funding from the Reaching Home Program, Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, administered locally by Lu’ma Native BCH Housing Society, the Greater Vancouver Reaching Home Designated Community Entity, in partnership with Vancity Community Foundation.