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The Souris Group Home Association is a non-profit corporation providing a community based living option to adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities and support needs. The MacIntyre House, a seven-bed facility, will serve as a home for persons with mental and physical disabilities.

The Government of Canada provided $469,658 to the project. The MacIntyre House received $168,000 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and $55,080 in funding under the Canada-PEI Affordable Housing Program Agreement. The facility, a former RCMP quarters, valued at $91,000, was transferred through the National Homelessness Initiative’s Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative. An additional $183,118 was provided by the Canada/PEI Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the provincial Department of Development and Technology.

“This partnership clearly demonstrates how governments can work effectively with community groups,” said Mr. MacAulay. “The Government of Canada is committed to work to create more affordable housing in Prince Edward Island while helping communities to offer better services and contributing to a sustainable development.”

“Most people realize that education and employment are determinants of health, but many may not be aware that the quality of housing and social supports are also factors,” Minister Gillan noted. “These types of partnerships are the way of the future. I congratulate the Souris Group Home Association members for their vision and commitment. The flexibility of the Canada PEI Affordable Housing Agreement means that we can work together with members of the community to develop projects in both urban and rural areas of the province.”

“This new development will allow Souris Group Home Association to continue to provide affordable supportive housing in a home environment designed for life skill training and a more independent lifestyle to our residents,” said Veronica MacPhee, President of the Souris Group Home Association.

The Canada-Prince Edward Island Affordable Housing Agreement, which was signed in 2003, stated that it would provide $5.5 million to create 120 housing units by the end of 2007 across PEI. The Government of Canada is contributing $2.75 million to be matched by the Province and other partners.

Since December 1999, the National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) has contributed $3.4 million to address homelessness – and help those at risk of becoming homeless – in PEI.

The Surplus Federal Real Property for Homelessness Initiative compensates federal departments and agencies at market value for surplus properties. These properties are then transferred at a nominal cost to community organizations and other orders of government for projects that address homelessness.

BACKGROUNDER

Canada-PEI Affordable Housing Program Agreement Summary

Dated signature: May 23, 2003

Objectives:

-To increase and sustain the supply of new affordable housing in Prince Edward Island

-Housing supported by the Canada-PEI Affordable Housing Agreement must be affordable for 10 years.

Program:

Funding under this agreement will be used to create new, additional, affordable housing units for low to moderate income Islanders through rental, conversion and homeownership initiatives.

Administration:

-The program is administered by the Prince Edward Island Department of Health and Social Services.

-PEI is responsible for the selection of affordable housing projects.

-Provincial priorities are housing for families, persons with disabilities and persons with special needs.

-The PEI Government has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to deliver the homeownership component.

Financial Provisions:

-Maximum CMHC funding under the agreement is $2.75 million to be matched by the Province of Prince Edward Island, municipalities and others partners.

-Overall CMHC funding will not exceed $25,000/unit over the life of the Agreement.

Accountability:

-PEI will provide annual audit and performance reports on the use of CMHC funding.

-CMHC will lead a national evaluation of the program in 2006 and the province will be invited to participate.

The Souris Group Home Association

Souris Group Home Association is a non-profit corporation, which provides a community based living option to adults with a wide range of developmental disabilities and support needs. The facility provides a normalized home environment designed for life skills training, which helps residents progress towards more independent living in the community.