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EL Shama Housing & Stability Initiative

Housing is more than a roof. It is the foundation for stability, dignity and opportunity.

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At EL Shama Cares Foundation, we believe that stable housing is one of the most important foundations for mental wellness, education, employment, family stability and long-term independence.

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The EL Shama Housing & Stability Initiative is our emerging housing portfolio designed to create practical, affordable and supportive housing pathways for people experiencing housing insecurity and systemic barriers.

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Our approach is different from a traditional housing-only model. We provide housing while building the supports around the individual.

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We work to ensure that residents have access to the tools, relationships and opportunities they need to move from immediate housing stability toward greater independence as their circumstances change.

Our Housing Continuum 

Our model mirrors a hospital’s multidisciplinary approach. Youth are triaged and assessed against Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, prioritizing urgent barriers first. Like a hospital, we do not discharge based solely on the presenting crisis; we intentionally assess every area, ensuring each young person receives coordinated, whole-person support toward stability and independence.

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Supportive Housing

Housing for individuals who require additional support to maintain stability and live independently.

Residents can access wrap-around supports such as:

  • Mental wellness support

  • Life-skills development

  • Case navigation

  • Employment and education support

  • Community connection

  • Financial and benefits navigation

  • Housing transition planning

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Transitional Housing

Our transitional housing model is designed for individuals who may not yet be ready for fully independent housing but are ready to begin rebuilding stability.

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Residents receive a structured period of housing and support while working toward:

  • Stable income

  • Employment

  • Education

  • Mental wellness

  • Life skills

  • Permanent housing

  • Greater independence

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The goal is not to keep people in transitional housing indefinitely.

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Our goal is progression, not dependency. This approach is particularly relevant to youth leaving homelessness, youth aging out of care, survivors of domestic violence and newcomers facing significant barriers.

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Affordable Housing

EL Shama is developing affordable housing options for individuals and families who may be working, studying or receiving income supports but cannot reasonably access market housing.

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Our affordable housing strategy will include:

  • Below-market rental options

  • Mixed-market housing

  • Affordable family housing

  • Youth housing

  • Accessible housing

  • Long-term affordable housing

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Youth Housing

Young people experiencing homelessness often face multiple barriers at the same time: housing instability, interrupted education, unemployment, mental-health challenges, family breakdown and limited support networks.

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EL Shama's youth housing approach combines a safe place to live with a pathway to build a future.

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Our youth housing supports may include:

  • Transitional housing

  • Supportive housing

  • Affordable independent units

  • Mentorship

  • Mental wellness

  • Education re-entry

  • Employment preparation

  • Life skills

  • Financial literacy

  • Community integration

  • Housing transition planning

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Get in Touch

Our goal is not to create dependency. Our goal is to create stability strong enough to make the next step possible.

Land Acknowledgement

El Shama Cares Foundation acknowledges with deep respect that we live, work, and serve on Treaty 6 Territory, the traditional and ancestral lands of many First Nations, including the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Blackfoot, and Dene peoples, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta. 

We honour the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples on this land, past, present, and future, and we recognize their ongoing contributions to our communities and our collective well-being.

As an organization dedicated to healing, empowerment, and care, we acknowledge that true reconciliation begins with listening, learning, and building authentic relationships rooted in respect and understanding.

We commit ourselves to walking alongside Indigenous communities in the spirit of partnership, fostering pathways of equity, healing, and shared responsibility for the generations to come.

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