South Okanagan women and children fleeing domestic violence now have a safe and permanent place to stay.

Provincial Housing Minister Selina Robinson was at the South Okanagan Women in Need Society Friday in Penticton to announce a new subsidized apartment building for SOWINS clients.

The building’s location is not being disclosed to protect its residents, but it will provide space for up to 36 women and children fleeing violence.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe in their home,” said Robinson. “But we know that’s not the case for far too many women and children.”

“That is their lived experience and it horrifies me that we haven't been taking action on it for a very long time,” she added.

SOWINS executive director Debbie Scarborough noted most women fleeing abusive relationships don’t get to land in a brand new apartment.

“They are all two bedroom, two full bath. Quartz counters with in-suite laundry and a veranda. This it not normally what we leave for,” she said, explaining many women show up at SOWINS with just the clothes on their backs.

She said the building’s first tenant and her mother found the entire deal hard to believe.

“Her mom goes ‘there’s gotta be a catch’” Scarborough said, adding a support worker replied: “This is SOWINS, this is what we do.”

“Just to be mindful, we are changing lives and changing courses,” Scarborough said.

The new housing is designed to provide permanent homes, rather than the existing SOWINS transition house.

Residents will receive support services, including access to health services, counselling, resumé building, interview skills and workshops, such as building healthy relationships, financial literacy and self-care.