GUELPH – A new supportive housing building in Guelph will soon begin accepting residents.
Dignitaries gathered at 10 Shelldale Crescent to officially cut the ribbon on the brand new facility Wednesday morning.
The building is owned by Kindle Communities while Stonehenge Therapeutic Community will operate the on-site programming.
“Our community came together with a common vision of needing permanent supportive housing for members of our community so we all shared the same vision and did what we needed to do to get there,” said Kristin Kerr, CEO at Stonehenge Therapeutic Community.
The project received $3 million in funding from the province and another $2.5 million from the federal government for construction costs. The land was donated by Skyline Group of Companies who were also behind the build itself. Jason Ashdown, co-founder and chief sustainability officer at Skyline Group of Companies credited the partnerships with community agencies for securing that funding.
“They really pay attention to people who are trying to be innovative,” said Ashdown. “Because they are calling out for organizations to find new ways of doing things and ways to get things done, and if partnerships come together between private business and a boat load of community members with support all around it, it’s harder for them to say ‘no.'”
The new facility includes 32 bachelor-style units with 24/7 access to a staff member and other services to help people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet.
“They will be moving in and those supports are vital to help them find success to learn the skills that are needed to be housed,” said Kerr. “And we really want to build a sense of community here at 10 Shelldale so that the individuals who live here have one another for support as well as the staff who will be working here.”
Health Minister Sylvia Jones also announced at the ribbon cutting the province is investing $9 million dollars to connect people in Guelph experiencing homelessness to supportive housing and the high-quality, comprehensive mental health and addictions support services.
