Saskatoon home for pregnant women with HIV to open doors Oct. 1

Women with HIV who find themselves pregnant will soon have a place to stay and thrive in Saskatoon.

Sanctum 1.5 is a 10-unit supportive housing project on Saskatoon's West side, funded in part by the federal and provincial governments, and various community partnerships.

The program provides more than just a roof over the heads of pregnant women and newbornsservices are crucial to the operation of Sanctum 1.5.

Services like prenatal care, opioid substitution therapy, and parenting classes will be provided by Sanctum Care Group, the organization behind Sanctum1.5.

"We've accepted two moms to move in October 1," said executive director and co-founder Katelyn Roberts.

The first residents of Sanctum 1.5 are pregnant women. They will be eligible to stay in the home the duration of their pregnancy, and up to three months afterward.

Sanctum will continue to follow their progress and offer supports for up to one year after their child is born.

"It's always been a dream for us. We first opened up Sanctum knowing this would be our next step. It's been a couple years in the making, " said Roberts.

Dire need

Sanctum 1.5 is the only home of its kind in Saskatchewan, where it is desperately needed.

The province has the highest rates of HIV in Canada close to four times the national average.

"We also have the highest rates of women who are of childbearing age who are also HIV positive," said Roberts.

There's a great need not only for medical intervention to prevent transferring HIV to the baby, but more importantly, a real need to change the way our community responds to the most vulnerable.- Katelyn Roberts, Sanctum Care Services co-founder

"In Saskatchewan we also have very high rates of children in foster care."

One of Sanctum's goals is to reduce the number of children in care and keep them with their mothers, if that is the mother's desire.

"There's a great need not only for medical intervention to prevent transferring HIV to the baby, but more importantly, a real need to change the way our community responds to the most vulnerable," said Roberts.

Ahead of the October 1 opening date, Sanctum staff are going through referrals and triaging clients based on need.

"We're really excited to move those mums in and have babies in this home," said Roberts.