Kingston Indigenous Housing Organization Tipi Moza opened its new transitional housing project at 113 Lower Union St. this afternoon. At full occupancy, the project will house 19 Indigenous community members. 

“That’s pretty big when you consider the amount of people who are homeless, that’s going to give them a safe place to call home, food security and a chance to get back on the right path,” Executive Director of Tipi Moza Winnie Peters says.

Peters says a lot of people who struggle with homelessness also struggle with mental illness and addictions. There are support workers on staff who will work with the clients daily, according to Peters, and the organization is trying to deliver more culturally appropriate programming such as learning languages, beading, crafting and arts.

“The supportive, culturally appropriate housing will help pass on culture and not pass on the trauma from previous generations to a future generation,” Kingston and the Islands MPP Ted Hsu says.

Tipi Moza has offered rent geared to income and transitional housing for those experiencing homelessness for close to 30 years in the Kingston area. 

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