‘A lifesaver’: sober transitional housing by Salvation Army opens in north Edmonton

Miywanohk means “In a Good Place” in Cree, and it’s operated by the Salvation Army in Edmonton’s Alberta Avenue area.

Each of the 23 units inside is fully furnished with everything a person recovering from addiction needs, as well as support services. People who have completed a recovery program can move in, get stable housing, and access support services for a maximum of 23 months.

Because residents pay to live there, this also helps them build a reputation as good tenants, which can be used as a reference when they move on.

“This was identified as a gap in the city,” said Elaine Bridger, a Major with the Salvation Army. “Affordable housing for people who have gone through recovery, spending a couple of years in detox and a recovery program, and then having nowhere to land when they finish.”

Adam Walker is someone who is trying to stay on the right path. He’s been clean from drugs for a year, but it’s still never easy.

“You’re going to battle it for the rest of your life. Addiction is addiction. It doesn’t matter what you’re addicted to—you’re still going to battle it,” he said.

He’s one of the first people to live in Miywanohk, and he knows it will be home for some time.

“This is going to be a lifesaver for the next couple of years. You can get a lot accomplished in that time.”

Some of his goals include helping others who were in his position a few years ago, struggling with addiction, and staying clean long enough to go to Calgary to meet his new grandson.

“If you have a lot of positivity and people who care about you, you’re going to give that positivity back out,” said Walker. “The better you do for yourself, the better you do for the world.”