The Government of Canada joined today with the Province of Prince Edward Island to celebrate the official opening of Alberton House, an eight-unit affordable housing development for people with intellectual disabilities.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, Janice Sherry, made the announcement today in Alberton.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making affordable housing available in Prince Edward Island and across Canada for those who need it most,” said Minister Shea. “The creation of these new units here in Alberton will provide people living with intellectual disabilities access to quality and affordable housing, while ensuring that they can stay close to their families and friends.”
The $570,000 project, developed by Community Inclusions, is located on Church Street. The development is made possible though a $200,000 federal investment from the Affordable Housing Trust and a $150,000 investment from Human Resources and Skills Development’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). In addition, $40,000 was provided by the Summerside Rotary Club.
“We understand the pressures and worries of aging parents who care for adult children with intellectual disabilities,” said Minister Sherry. “I am pleased that we are continuing to work with families, communities and non-governmental organizations such as Community Inclusions to find the best solutions for these individuals.”
The federal budget 2006 announced an investment of $1.4 billion over three years for three affordable housing trusts to address immediate pressures for affordable housing. For PEI, this meant a federal allocation of $3.4 million under the Affordable Housing Trust.
The Government of Canada’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) is a unique community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness by providing direct support and funding to more than 60 communities across Canada
Alberton House provides transitional housing for eight individuals with intellectual disabilities. There is a four-bedroom unit on the first floor, with two two-bedroom dorm-style units on the first and second floors.
In addition to the funding from the Affordable Housing Trust, the provincial Department of Community Services and Seniors contributed two lots of land estimated to be valued at $40,000 for the project. The Department also provides an annual operating grant to Community Inclusions. This year the department increased its annual operating grant by $125,000, which brings the total amount to $776,400 for 2010 – 2011. This contribution will assist the organization with operating costs and staffing for Alberton House.
Community Inclusions is a non-governmental organization that provides support and services to adults with intellectual disabilities in western PEI.
“The opening of Alberton House represents a significant and progressive step forward in providing residential services for persons with intellectual disabilities in West Prince,” said Raeanne Adams, Chair of Community Inclusions Inc. Board. “As a non-profit organization, Community Inclusion's goal is to provide opportunities and services to support adults with intellectual disabilities in their chosen endeavors. The opening of Alberton House supports this goal by providing more choices and opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities. We are grateful for the partnerships with the federal and provincial governments and to the Rotary Club of Summerside, who have made significant contributions to this project.”
The Provincial Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour is committed to helping individuals, families and all members of One Island Community reach their full potential. To this end, the Department operates housing units across the province for families and seniors who need help finding affordable, appropriate homes. The Family Housing Program provides quality rental housing units for families who may not otherwise be able to obtain adequate housing. It provides housing for Island families with low incomes, poor housing conditions or other special circumstances.
For more information on Community Inclusions and its various services, contact 902-853-3944 or visit its Web site at www.communityinclusions.com.
To find out more about how the Government of Canada and CMHC are working to build stronger homes and communities for all Canadians, call CMHC at 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca/housingactionplan. For more information on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, call 1-800-O Canada or visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.