Fort McMurray, Alta., supportive housing facility fears loss of funding

A supportive housing facility in Fort McMurray fears the loss of provincial funding — and the facility's residents are afraid they could lose access to services that help them recover from effects of homelessness and addiction. 

The facility is run by the Wood Buffalo Wellness Society, and is called Tawâw. 

Jo-Anne Packham, the society's executive director, said the program's mission is to "provide an environment that is culturally appropriate for high-needs individuals entering directly off the street, or out of the hospital," and to provide a standard of care for those people where their medical, recovery and mental health needs are met.

The program is Indigenous-led, and is meant to serve primarily Indigenous individuals. 

Tawâw has been operating since December 2023. 

Packham said the facility receives funding from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, the federal government and from the province of Alberta. 

The provincial funding is under the auspices of housing as well as Recovery Alberta mental health and addiction services.

But now, Packham said, Tawâw is preparing for provincial budget cuts. 

She said Recovery Alberta asked Tawâw to come up with different scenarios for the funding being reduced. 

Packham said that funding reductions would either only permit the facility to operate at its current level, but not expand — or jeopardize Tawâw's ability to operate. At this time, Tawâw houses 14 individuals. 

Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams told the CBC in November that he hasn't made the funding decisions regarding Tawâw, adding that he is "reviewing" all supportive housing facilities in the province. 

A Recovery Alberta spokesperson said the funding that Tawâw receives from the agency will not be increased, but won't be reduced, either. 

Residents say program helped them improve their lives

The Tawâw residents who spoke to the CBC say that the facility helped them get off the streets and improve their lives. 

"Seven months ago, I was unrecognizable," said Jordan Cardinal, a 32-year old member of Fort McMurray 468 First Nation.

"Being in the streets, the only way to keep warm, the only way to keep going a lot of the times so you don't freeze to death is drug abuse," he said. "You just get high and continue on." 

Cardinal said he was on alcohol and methamphetamines practically every day when he lived on the street. 

He says he is now sober, compared to six months ago, and is applying for jobs. Cardinal was previously a millwright and worked for the oil industry. 

He fears what could happen if the program was pared back or closed. 

"If they shut this program down, then what? Just out in the cold again?

"I wouldn't be where I am today without it, I know for a fact."  

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"It is our home," said 51-year old Angela Tuccaro, who is also a member of the Fort McMurray 468 nation. 

Tuccaro said she's working on herself now. Doing crafts at Tawâw keeps her mind away from wanting to consume alcohol or do drugs, she said. 

"We really do need the support to keep on going."

Funding cutbacks would impact her negatively as well, she said. 

"I'd be taking a huge step back." 

Like Cardinal, she fears whether she might find herself without a roof over her head. 

"We'd be right back on the street again and having to pitch up tents and living out in the cold." 

Tuccaro doesn't remember her time on the streets during winter fondly. 

"I wouldn't want to do that ever again. I wouldn't wish that on nobody. And I feel sad for the people that do have to do that right now," she said.