NEW GROUP HOME FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES OPENS IN UNITY

A new four-space group home for people with intellectual disabilities opened today in Unity. The Ministry of Social Services provided capital funding of more than $303,000 for construction of the group home, which will be operated by Wilkie Independent Living Services, Inc., a community-based organization.

In addition, a new secondary suite was constructed in the basement of the group home. Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, an agency of Social Services, provided a $24,000 forgivable loan through its Secondary Suite Program toward the construction of the suite, which will be rented to a person with an intellectual disability who qualifies for supportive independent living assistance.

"We applaud the incredible vision and dedication of the board of directors and staff of Wilkie Independent Living Services for developing this project on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities and their families in Unity and area," Energy and Resources Minister Bill Boyd said on behalf of Social Services Minister June Draude. "Community-based organizations such as Wilkie Independent Living Services play a valuable role in supporting people with intellectual disabilities to be included in their communities."

Social Services has also committed to provide more than $335,000 annually to Wilkie Independent Living Services for operation of the new group home, as well as for the operation of a new day program for people with intellectual disabilities in Unity.

"We are thrilled with the generous financial support provided to this project by the Government of Saskatchewan in the form of significant capital and annual operating funding through the Ministry of Social Services, augmented by funding through the Secondary Suite Program of Saskatchewan Housing Corporation," Wilkie Independent Living Services Chair Gordon Martin said. "We now operate four group homes for people with intellectual disabilities--three in Wilkie and one in Unity--as well as day programs in both communities and a supportive living program."

In total, the Ministry of Social Services will provide Wilkie Independent Living Services with more than $1.7 million in operating funding in 2011-12.

The $303,000 in capital funding allocated to this project is part of the provincial government's four-year, $76.9 million commitment to eliminate the waitlist of 440 Saskatchewan people with intellectual disabilities who require programs and services. The new group home in Unity will serve three people from the waitlist, and the new day program will initially serve five people from the waitlist.

First announced in October 2008, the $76.9 million waitlist initiative includes $27.8 million in funding for capital projects. It is the largest investment in Saskatchewan history to support people with intellectual disabilities. By the end of 2011-12, services for 373 people--or 85 per cent of the waitlist--will be in place or in development with CBOs across Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Brian Miller
Social Services
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0531
Email: brian.miller3@gov.sk.ca