Battlefords Residential Services Inc. is welcoming the announcement of $750,000 from the province towards building two new group homes in North Battleford.
The group homes are for people with intellectual disabilities. The $750,000 from the provincial Ministry of Social Services will go towards capital funding for the homes, and will also assist Battlefords Residential Services Inc. (BRSI) in renovating one of its existing group homes.
The announcement was made by the province on Wednesday.
Battlefords Residential Services chair Yvonne Nyholt said her organization was thrilled with the funding announcement.
Their organization had been working towards this project for almost two years now, she said.
"It'll take individuals off the waiting list," said Nyholt.
Each home will house five people. One of the homes will have two suites built in the basements to accommodate supported living clients. As well, one of the homes will be designed specially for residents with limited mobility and high personal care needs.
"We are very happy to get started on this, "said Nyholt. "We've purchased the lots, and we're ready to go."
One of the lots will be in Killdeer and the other on 102nd Street. There are also plans to renovate one of the existing homes on 111th Street to "make it more convenient and just to improve their lives."
There is no set timeline yet for construction, but the hope is to turn the sod this fall, said Nyholt. They are close to going to tenders for both projects.
The announcement is good news for those with intellectual disabilities, said Nyholt, as "sometimes they're a bit forgotten, so this is going to be a boost."
In addition to the capital funding BRSI also receives more than $2.1 million in operational funding from the ministry of Social Services in 2011-12.
This latest funding announcement from Social Services follows on the heels of an announcement in May of $2 million towards a new facility for Battlefords Trade and Education Centre to house day programs for those with intellectual disabilities. A sign is already up announcing its future location at the corner of Railway Avenue and 105th Street, with construction expected to start next year.
Both announcements have been part of the province's four-year, $76.9 million initiative to eliminate the waitlist of 440 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities who require programs and services.
According to Robert Clipperton, speaking for the Ministry of Social Services, the funding means that in the Battlefords "people with intellectual disabilities will have more options in terms of having some more places for them to live."
He said there have been homes built and opened up in Meadow Lake, Unity and Ile-a-la-Crosse. Clipperton points out the funding is based on need.
He believes the two homes in the Battlefords should be ready to move into by late spring or early summer.
In a statement, social services minister June Draude said she applauded the efforts of the board and staff of Battlefords Residential Services for the development of the group homes.
"Community-based organizations such as BRSI play a valuable role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities and help them to be included in their communities," said Draude.
