Lighthouse seeks furnishings for new housing complex

The people behind an affordable housing complex that opened in Saskatoon on Friday hope members of the public will help make the retrofitted house into a home.

The complex, funded by all three levels of government, can house seven tenants with complex needs that may be associated with mental health issues or addictions.

It will offer affordable rental prices and access to on-site supports from the Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. The aim is to help tenants gain stability and work toward independence.

A major retrofit of the house is now complete, and the Lighthouse is looking donations of quality furniture and household appliances to ensure it’s ready to welcome future tenants.

“We want our residents here to take pride in their home,” said Susan Scharf, fundraising co-ordinator for the Lighthouse.

“We’re going to be creating a wish list of what we need and it is a good thing for Saskatoon to step up — as they’ve always done — for the Lighthouse and the less fortunate.”

Scharf said she’ll examine the furniture before it enters the home to ensure it’s in good shape and works in terms of size and shape. She’s looking for items ranging from a kitchen table with chairs to bedroom furniture and a washerdryer set.

The federal and provincial governments jointly contributed up to $262,000 for the project; the City of Saskatoon contributed $39,000.

Desmond Desnomie, project manager at the complex, said the house has been through a drastic change since renovations started earlier this year. He said it’s gone from “dark and dingy” to a space that’s bright and welcoming.

The new space will hopefully help the tenants gain responsibility with things like rent and living with other people, he said.