September 26, 2005

New housing units that are more accessible to people with disabilities were officially opened today by Family Services and Housing Minister Christine Melnick, minister responsible for persons with disabilities.

The opening of the apartment units, developed with over $314,000 in provincial funding, marks the completion of another phase of a successful project. It included substantial renovations to create seven newly-designed, accessible apartments at 340 Princess St., Winnipeg.

The existing six-storey, 58-unit housing facility on Princess Street is owned by the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation and is managed by the Manitoba Housing Authority. In addition to funding from Manitoba Family Services and Housing for the necessary renovations, Manitoba Health and the Winnipeg Regional Healthy Authority (WRHA) will ensure home-care supports are provided as necessary to meet resident’s personal-care needs.

"I am pleased to celebrate the addition of these much-needed housing options for people with disabilities, with special design features that make the apartments fully accessible and in a convenient location near the Princess Street Campus of Red River College," said Melnick, who is also minister responsible for the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation.

In late 2004, similar projects opened at 125 Carriage Rd., Winnipeg, and at 249 Ninth St., Brandon, both sites which are also owned by the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation. In total, the three projects created 27 units of accessible housing and received over $1.1 million in provincial support.

"The WRHA and all of our partners are excited to be part of this initiative. Providing more housing options with appropriate supports for people with disabiities continues to be an important priority for all of us," said Dr. Sharon Macdonald, vice president, community health services, WRHA.

The redevelopment project included extensive consultations with key stakeholders who formed a working group called the Housing for Assisted Living (HAL) committee. The group, made up of a cross-section of organizations representing people with disabilities, presented a report to government that identified the need for more housing options for people with disabilities who also require a high level of care and support services. This working group helped design the more accessible housing units.

"We are proud to have worked over the last few years as partners to develop this exciting, new housing opportunity," said Sharon Segal, on behalf of the HAL committee. "This project combines accessible housing with needed support services so more people with disabilities can live in the community where their needs are better met. The entire HAL group is looking forward to possibly expanding this concept to other sites in the future."

This HAL committee, chaired by Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. includes the WRHA, Manitoba Family Services and Housing, Manitoba Health, the Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation and the Manitoba Housing Authority.

- 30 -