LITTLE CURRENT—The Island Seniors Housing group, a group of individuals led by Dr. Roy Jeffery working on developing an assisted living facility in Little Current, is now officially an incorporated, not-for-profit group and has begun seeking funding.
Earlier this year the Northeast Town carried a motion to enter into an agreement in principle earlier this year with the Island Seniors Housing group. In the agreement, the town conditionally agreed to provide the upper half of the property on Park Street, donated from the Fielding family, cover the cost of extending sewer and water to the building and the cost of the building permit as a donation.
Mr. Jeffery was to present an update on the project to the Northeast Town council last night (Tuesday, July 4).
“We now have charitable status, which allows us to apply for more funding opportunities,” Dr. Jeffery told The Expositor. “We have applied for funding to the Ontario Trillium Foundation through LAMBAC, as well as Canada Mortage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) for seed funding for the development of conceptual drawing and environmental studies.”
“It has been really challenging trying to find funding,” said Dr. Jeffery. “We want to make the building affordable for the seniors—that’s key to the project. This project is for lower income seniors and this is really needed on Manitoulin.”
The group is also looking at a design that incorporates a service area on the bottom level of the building for space for private or public senior services (offices) to help keep the cost down for the residents. They also feel that this might make the project more attractive to private funders.
“We feel this project can happen,” concluded Dr. Jeffery. “Housing like this is the right thing for this community and for Manitoulin. Our seniors need this and it should be something that we are all a part of making happen to make our community a better place.”
