Wood Buffalo Wellness Society, Fort McMurray, AB

The Wood Buffalo Wellness Society is very involved with the Housing First Program in Fort McMurray. Our offices are located in the waterways district and in downtown Fort McMurray. The basic underlying principle of Housing First is that people are better able to move forward with their lives if they are first housed. This is as true for people experiencing homelessness and those with mental health and addictions issues as it is for anyone. Housing is provided first and then supports are provided including physical and mental health, education, employment, substance abuse and community connections…. “Housing is not contingent upon readiness, or on ‘compliance’ (for instance, sobriety).