Women in Supported Housing (WISH)

WISH recognizes that there is limited access to safe, affordable housing for women and gender diverse people who have experienced homelessness, traumatic pasts, and mental health related concerns. These circumstances make it difficult to secure long-term housing.

*Women in Supportive Housing is an established program that has been running for several decades. In recent years, YWCA Halifax has expanded supports to gender diverse and Two Spirit people. Program names such as WISH are in the works of being updated to reflect the populations we’re committed and proud to serve.

“Thank you for never giving up on me and for giving me the safe space I needed to regain my life. I could not have done this without the support of WISH.” – WISH Participant 

We are changing lives.

34Providing support for participants
24
Participants in stage 1
Participants in stage 2
10
164Participants helped from 2010-2015

What is WISH?

WISH provides safe, secure, supported housing to women and gender diverse people. People living in WISH housing are ages 19 and older who have experienced homelessness, and have barriers to stable housing.

WISH Offers

  • A furnished apartment
  • Financial management
  • Home visitation
  • Eviction prevention
  • Case planning
  • Service navigation
  • Individualized support
  • 24-hour emergency on-call support.

Eligibility

Women and gender diverse people are eligible for WISH if they are: over the age of 19, unhoused or at risk of homelessness, and in receipt of income assistance. Potential participants also require approval from their income assistance worker to participate, and agree to sign and uphold the housing agreement.

Apply

Make an appointment to complete an intake. Once the intake has been completed and approval is granted, the participant is placed on a waiting list until a unit becomes available.

Please contact the Program coordinator for more information:

housing@ywcahalifax.com