MELFORT — Melfort council has unanimously accepted a request by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation for a multi-unit residential dwelling building to provide housing for residents with intellectual disabilities.
The project, at 300 Bemister Avenue East, will provide additional housing for adults with disabilities, aimed at helping families keep their family members in the community. There will be supervision in each unit at all times.
Deana Grunerud, who presented the concept to Melfort council on March 14 on behalf of the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, said they’d like to begin construction by fall.
“It does have 24 hour care which is important for people who have been identified in Melfort as needing a place to live with support,” Grunerud said. “The analysis is there, we know the need is here.”
The project will have four self-contained units. Two units will be residential care homes housing up to four adults with disabilities in each unit, and two will be typical rental units. The care homes will provide support to local families.
It will be operated by a local community-based organization (CBO) approved by the Ministry of Social Services, which will be PLUS Industries Inc.
PLUS Industries will provide support to the residents in their daily activities, with one to two staff members present in each unit at all times. PLUS Industries and the Ministry will be responsible for identifying and placing residents in the homes and ensuring residents have access to appropriate resources while they live in the home.
In addition, PLUS Industries will be responsible for providing a family atmosphere while caring for the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, spiritual and recreational needs of the residents. This responsibility includes helping residents come and go from the home to attend events, functions, programs, appointments or simply to enjoy the neighbourhood.
Glenn George, Melfort’s mayor, said it will be creating something needed in the community.
“PLUS Industries runs the Green Tree [Home] very successfully now,” George said. “The government is building it, PLUS Industries is running it – it will be a nice looking place that will just add to the attraction of Melfort.”
