Youth who have been in care have a 50.8 per cent chance of becoming homeless. That from the Executive Director of EGADZ, Don Meikle.

The Government of Saskatchewan is partnering with EGADZ to launch FUSION Plus, a new 40-space supported housing initiative in Saskatoon designed to support youth aged 16 to 21 currently or previously in the care of the Ministry of Social Services.

Meikle says, “Giving kids a place to stay doesn’t give them a long-term outcome. There has to things in place that provides them with hope, an education and some skills.” He says so they are going to provide real wrap around support – for instance they are working on have an addictions worker on site.

The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $1.4 million in annual operating funding for FUSION Plus. The Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) is investing $281,151 in funding, which will be directed towards making resources available that are about comprehensive support.

FUSION Plus will be located in an apartment building in Holiday Park.  The project is designed to support youth aged 16 to 21 currently or previously in the care of the Ministry of Social Services to successfully transition to independence. Meile says other than plumbing and electrical, a crew of young people will be doing renovations to get the building ready to move into by August.