Dundas Living Centre proponents amended their original proposal for a local residence for developmentally-challenged adults to more closely fit guidelines set by Ontario’s Developmental Housing Task Force.
At Home With Friends is the new project submitted last week in the task force’s second call for submissions. It drops the total number of developmentally disabled adults in the residence from 18 to eight, and adds spaces for lower-income seniors in good health, a couple of McMaster University scholarship students – who will volunteer to work with the special needs residents in exchange for free tuition and rent - and other tenants interested in helping the eight core residents stay in their communities. The new proposal does not have a specific location set for the residence.
The group argues the current crisis-style of finding housing in emergencies results in people being pulled out of the communities they know, where they work, volunteer and participate in sports and events with friends.
By cutting back the number of core residents, and mixing in a variety of other tenants, the new Dundas Living Centre proposals appears to come in line with the housing task force’s guidelines.
Fox said the re-worked proposal also creates new partnerships with several organizations including McMaster social work researchers. She said other partnership opportunities exist with Mohawk College for placements from a variety of programs.
Last year, the organization was told its original proposal was not eligible for review in the first call for proposals.
According to guidelines for housing proposal submissions, the ministry already supports group living residences with up to 10 people in them.
“The Task Force will not be considering proposals that closely resemble such existing ministry-funded residential settings,” the guidelines state.
Proximity to neighbours without developmental disabilities was also a factor getting support from the task force.
“Proposals that promote congregate living based solely on the nature of the individual’s disability will not be considered,” the guidelines state. “Partnerships are strongly encouraged, including proposals where people with and without disabilities could live together or nearby each other.”
Dundas Living Centre proponents amended their original proposal for a local residence for developmentally-challenged adults to more closely fit guidelines set by Ontario’s Developmental Housing Task Force.
At Home With Friends is the new project submitted last week in the task force’s second call for submissions. It drops the total number of developmentally disabled adults in the residence from 18 to eight, and adds spaces for lower-income seniors in good health, a couple of McMaster University scholarship students – who will volunteer to work with the special needs residents in exchange for free tuition and rent - and other tenants interested in helping the eight core residents stay in their communities. The new proposal does not have a specific location set for the residence.
The group argues the current crisis-style of finding housing in emergencies results in people being pulled out of the communities they know, where they work, volunteer and participate in sports and events with friends.
By cutting back the number of core residents, and mixing in a variety of other tenants, the new Dundas Living Centre proposals appears to come in line with the housing task force’s guidelines.
Fox said the re-worked proposal also creates new partnerships with several organizations including McMaster social work researchers. She said other partnership opportunities exist with Mohawk College for placements from a variety of programs.
Last year, the organization was told its original proposal was not eligible for review in the first call for proposals.
According to guidelines for housing proposal submissions, the ministry already supports group living residences with up to 10 people in them.
“The Task Force will not be considering proposals that closely resemble such existing ministry-funded residential settings,” the guidelines state.
Proximity to neighbours without developmental disabilities was also a factor getting support from the task force.
“Proposals that promote congregate living based solely on the nature of the individual’s disability will not be considered,” the guidelines state. “Partnerships are strongly encouraged, including proposals where people with and without disabilities could live together or nearby each other.”
Dundas Living Centre proponents amended their original proposal for a local residence for developmentally-challenged adults to more closely fit guidelines set by Ontario’s Developmental Housing Task Force.
At Home With Friends is the new project submitted last week in the task force’s second call for submissions. It drops the total number of developmentally disabled adults in the residence from 18 to eight, and adds spaces for lower-income seniors in good health, a couple of McMaster University scholarship students – who will volunteer to work with the special needs residents in exchange for free tuition and rent - and other tenants interested in helping the eight core residents stay in their communities. The new proposal does not have a specific location set for the residence.
The group argues the current crisis-style of finding housing in emergencies results in people being pulled out of the communities they know, where they work, volunteer and participate in sports and events with friends.
By cutting back the number of core residents, and mixing in a variety of other tenants, the new Dundas Living Centre proposals appears to come in line with the housing task force’s guidelines.
Fox said the re-worked proposal also creates new partnerships with several organizations including McMaster social work researchers. She said other partnership opportunities exist with Mohawk College for placements from a variety of programs.
Last year, the organization was told its original proposal was not eligible for review in the first call for proposals.
According to guidelines for housing proposal submissions, the ministry already supports group living residences with up to 10 people in them.
“The Task Force will not be considering proposals that closely resemble such existing ministry-funded residential settings,” the guidelines state.
Proximity to neighbours without developmental disabilities was also a factor getting support from the task force.
“Proposals that promote congregate living based solely on the nature of the individual’s disability will not be considered,” the guidelines state. “Partnerships are strongly encouraged, including proposals where people with and without disabilities could live together or nearby each other.”