Niginan Housing Ventures - the Society is developing a special purpose housing project which will provide a culturally based permanent supportive housing environment in which sobriety is encouraged, but not required, for chronically addicted and challenged, homeless men and women of aboriginal descent, using a harm reduction community building model.  This 42 suite project will start construction in the spring of 2010.

The harm reduction model is a set of practical strategies that help people reduce the negative consequences of drug use, alcoholism and mental illness by addressing the conditions of use and treatment which:

• is focused upon improving the quality of the individual´s life, health and well being
• meets people where they are at
• ensures that the course and pace of treatment is determined by the individual user
• ensures that the role of the practitioner is to educate the person on options and consequences, thus enabling the individual to improve their quality of life, health and well being
• is non-judgmental and gradual

The harm reduction approach has been used very successful in enabling people, who have not been successfully served by traditional facilities, to significantly improve their circumstances. A recent CMHC study found that harm reduction model works where other hve failed in the past. "Based upon the literature review and the programs profiled in this report, a harm reduction approach combined with supportive housing can be an effective way to address the need of homeless people who are dealing with substance use issues" (CMHC Research Highlights, Series 05-027, September 2005 ). All of they key informants interviewed as part of the CMHC study, indicated that their clients had undergone positive changes since becoming involved in the program.

The keys to the success of the harm reduction approach are stable housing, meeting people where they are at and providing services and supports within their natural community.