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“This may be the first time, for many of these women, they’ve experienced physical safety having their own space,” she said.

“It’s here they have to learn emotional safety, spiritual safety, learning to trust again, because everyone on the street has earned the right not to trust.”

The transition isn’t just about getting the women used to having a roof over their heads, but integrating back into society, Krecsy said.

“We have to look at what we’ve done to create institutionalization, and then we have people coming out of institutions — whether they be health or justice — that are quite comfortable in shelters because it has the same rigidity and rules that institution has,” she said.

“I show up, I get my food, I have my rhythm, I get up in the morning, I do my walk, because that’s become their nomenclature. We have to deinstitutionalize the patterns.”

Diane Gautchier, a member of the client action committee, said there’s a false perception that women are being taken care of on the streets.

“They’re not, and it’s because women take care of themselves in such precarious ways just to say they have a roof over their heads,” she said.

“It’s dangerous most of the time and they are putting their life on the line just for that one night of safe sleep. These kinds of buildings make such a difference in that.”

Homes by Avi, which donated $1.4 million to the project, chose the building’s name, The Maple, to symbolize strength and endurance.

The first group of women will move in Thursday and the rest of the units will be gradually filled over the holiday season.

zlaing@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @zjlaing