In Lloydminster, transitional housing is proving to be an important tool in the fight against homelessness and addiction recovery.
The Olive Tree and Residents in Recovery, through their programs, Homebase and Sober Living, share a common mission: to give unhoused people a place to feel safe, heal, and eventually regain their independence.
Homebase recently won a Chamber of Commerce award for their success in the community.
“Homebase is a housing-first initiative,” Becky Schille, CEO of The Olive Tree explains. “The belief in housing first is that before people can deal with some of the bigger issues—addiction, mental health, or trauma—they need to know they have a safe place to sleep.”
She says, for many clients stability begins with a roof over their heads.
“We’ve found that people are much more successful making those big life changes once we house them," said Schille.
Yet demand for stable, low-income housing in Lloydminster is far higher than the resources available. Schille knows that her team has a considerable wait list and not enough placements.
“There are not nearly enough placements for everyone referred to us,” she says. “What Lloyd really needs right now—and what we’re working on—is transitional housing. We need houses that can be that bridge between homelessness and stable, independent living.”
Tyler Lorenz executive director of Residents in Recovery, has seen the same urgent need for transitional options, particularly sober living facilities.
“Our biggest barrier is access to houses,” he says. “We have far more people on our list who are ready to be housed than we have available low-income or transitional-type properties in the city.”
“Our wait list is 51 people, I could build 10 transitional sober living houses and fill them up overnight," Lorenz explains.
Both leaders agree transitional housing is about far more than just putting a roof over someone’s head. Many clients face difficulties adjusting to indoor life and daily responsibilities after years of living on the streets.
“It sounds silly, but things like living indoors, having neighbours, grocery shopping, and keeping your unit clean are new for a lot of people. They need time and support to adjust," said Schille.
Support from provincial and federal governments has been crucial in sustaining these programs, particularly for funding outreach workers who provide critical, ongoing support.
“Putting someone in a house is just the first step,” Schille explains. “But walking with them—for six months, a year, or even longer—is where real change happens.”
She notes outreach workers help clients with everyday tasks many people take for granted.
“It works,” Schille says proudly. “We’ve housed 42 individuals so far and seen seven graduates. Housing First is evidence-based, and it does work.”
Lorenz also emphasizes the essential role of stability in recovery.
“Housing First is extremely important,” he says. “You’re not going to be able to do any work with somebody that’s unhoused or on the street.”
He says people need the basics of food, clothing and shelter and struggle without them.
“You’re in survival mode and not thinking rationally. You’re just trying to stay alive," said Lorenz.
Residents in Recovery follows a similar approach, placing clients in sober transitional housing so they can begin focusing on long-term goals, such as job training, education, and building healthier relationships.
Still, both Schille and Lorenz stress securing funding for new housing developments is challenging.
“The province and federal governments say there’s money available for this,” Lorenz says. “But building new properties and accessing the funds is complex. If it was easy, I’d already have five transitional sober living houses, and they’d all be full.”
The need for housing options has also brought different perspectives on how best to serve the community.
“Whether you have transitional housing that’s sober or where people can still use in a safe way, it’s the housing that’s crucial,” Lorenz explains. “Housing First has to be a foundation. Once someone’s in a stable environment, you can work with them, whether it’s about recovery or managing their health needs.”
Schille sees housing challenges as intertwined with a broader need for compassion and understanding in the community.
“Everyone is someone’s child,” she says. "And we often work with grandparents, people who have a lifetime of experiences. Most don’t want the life they have, and they’re really willing to start doing the hard things to make a change.”
“It’s a lifetime of circumstances that has brought them to where they are, and they need some grace and some respect to get to where they want to be next," said Schille.
Despite challenges, Schille and Lorenz remain hopeful. Schille says Housing First works a sentiment Lorenz echoes.
“People need a safe place before they can think about recovery. That’s what keeps us pushing forward," he said.
Together, they are working to ensure that Lloydminster’s vulnerable have a safe pathway into a more stable life.
Read More: Housing needs under microscope - Meridian Source
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