HERizions

What is HERizons?
YWCA HERizons is a supportive, affordable housing program for single mothers attending post-secondary. HERizons serves a maximum of five women-led families. Participants assist to maintain the building property, which allows them access to below-market rent and the use of free onsite laundry facilities. With a continuum of support, single mothers at HERizons have a supportive culture of peers, access to 24-hour on call emergency support, advocacy and referrals, service navigation and links to parenting resource and support programs.

Participants will reach economic independence and long-term housing security. The HERizons housing program provides an immediate relief to homelessness, while increasing the capacity for the mid-to long-term prevention of homelessness among single mothers and their children.

What needs does HERizons address?
Family homelessness is one of the fastest growing areas of homelessness in Canada. An estimated 80% of homeless families are led by single mothers. Access to education, housing, child care and support are recognized as short-and long-term solutions to family homelessness.

Nova Scotia has the highest proportion of single parent families in Canada. Reports indicate that the majority of single parents attending university in Halifax are single mothers. Insufficient income is a major cause of homelessness for single/mothers living below the low-income cut off. A long-term solution for a single mother to reduce the risk of homelessness for her family is to attend university and increase her earning potential.

There are significant barriers to single mothers attending post secondary education, and only 10% of single mothers have completed university. Halifax has the highest university tuition in Canada. Student family housing, when it is available, is out of reach for many.


HERizons is a supportive transitional housing program for homeless and at-risk single mothers pursuing post-secondary education. It represents an immediate alleviation of homelessness, and provides supports to prevent homelessness within the immediate family unit and for successive generations.



For information on HERizons or our other housing programs call 423-6162 ext 222 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it