How the Reaching Home Program is Providing Support to Indigenous Clients in Regina

In the heart of Regina, Saskatchewan, a powerful partnership is changing lives. For those standing at the crossroads of uncertainty, searching for housing support and possibly even a roof over their head, the Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre offers a helping hand, providing services going beyond the basics and tailoring their approach to their clients’ specific needs. Namerind Housing Corporation, responsible for delivering Designated Communities and Indigenous Homelessness funding for the city, has partnered with the Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre for the past four years to support those experiencing homelessness in the community. Through this ongoing partnership, Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre has had the opportunity to steadily build capacity within its housing and client support programming.

The Nēwo Yōtina Friendship Centre is an Indigenous non-profit organization supporting urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and families. The centre’s dedication extends far beyond shelter; they provide essential services, including diversionary services, culturally appropriate housing and ongoing client support services, playing a vital role in the community. Through the Four Winds Housing Program and the Sohkâyâwin Intensive Case Management Program, housing support workers collaborate with cultural and resolution health support workers to provide services to clients referred through Coordinated Access Regina (Regina’s Coordinated Access system). These dedicated professionals assist clients in various ways, from housing searches to case planning, transportation arrangements, ongoing advocacy, and much more.

With the help of federal funding, the organization has expanded its housing staff, ensuring that Indigenous people and families have dedicated supportive housing spaces. This ongoing support has resulted in increased housing stability, improved overall well-being of clients, and, in some cases, the closure of child protection files.

For more information, visit:

• Newo Yotina Friendship Centre
• About Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy
• CMHC National Housing Strategy

What is Reaching Home?

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness that provides funding and support to urban, Indigenous, territorial and rural and remote communities across Canada.

Quick facts about Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy:

• Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy was launched in 2019. It supports the goals of the National Housing Strategy and aims to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by 2027–28.
• Reaching Home supports the goals of the National Housing Strategy which recognizes that safe and affordable housing is at the heart of every strong community.