Freedom's Door moves on

Photo: Contributed

The Freedom House project in Rutland will not go ahead.

Officials with the Freedom's Door Society say they are moving forward after losing funding for a controversial recovery house for men in Rutland.

The four-storey supportive housing complex was to have been built on the Knights of Columbus property at Rutland and McCurdy roads.

Society director Tom Smithwick says the $4-million grant they applied for was denied because of current government policies.

"We concluded our project would not be able to proceed," said Smithwick.

While the recovery house is off the books, Smithwick said they are in discussions for another opportunity.

"We have continued to talk to BC Housing, and we are currently, and will file an application this week, to apply to be the manager of a BC Housing project," said Smithwick.

Regardless of policy, Smithwick says people still need to be helped.

Freedom's Door has also recently purchased a sixth duplex for its recovery program.

The new home, which will have the capacity to house six more men once renovations are complete, will bring their capacity to 56.

Freedom's Door provides a Christ-centered nurturing, supportive living environment in which men recovering from addiction are offered the tools to transform their lives.