Moishe Alexander’s Blog

Canadian Funding Corporation, in keeping up with innovative CMHC initiatives for affordable housing presents the following case.

Moishe Alexander notes that in the late 1990s, Stella Burry Community Services (SBCS) identified a need for transitional housing to assist people living with mental illness, including those recently released from prison. After leaving a correctional institution, people without family or friends can have difficulty finding housing, employment and support in the community. They are likely to become homeless, re-offend and eventually be re-incarcerated. For individuals living with mental illness, the challenges are similar in that they often find it hard to keep their housing if no support is available to them. If they ultimately become homeless, they often become victims of crime.

SBCS knew of a rundown boarding house in downtown St. John’s by the name of Carew Lodge that was often a scene of violence and regular police visits. Needless to say, it became a source of concern to the neighbourhood. SBCS began to look for ways to make Carew Lodge a safe and supportive place to live and part of the solution SBCS knew of a rundown boarding house in downtown St. John’s by the name of Carew Lodge that was often a scene of violence and regular police visits. Needless to say, it became a source of concern to the neighbourhood. SBCS began to look for ways to make Carew Lodge a safe and supportive place to live and part of the solution to integrate two newly released ex-offenders into the community.

The Affordable Housing Solution

Stella Burry Community Services, a non-profit organization affiliated with the United Church, bought Carew Lodge for $75,000 and soon put together plans to renovate the building. Stella Burry staff held public meetings with local residents to get their cooperation for the new housing project. The organization also worked with the three levels of government to find funding.

The renovated Carew Lodge opened in 2001 with 14 self-contained single units equipped with refrigerators, microwaves and private bathrooms. Each floor has a communal kitchen and telephone.

The lodge provides affordable supportive housing for the 12 tenants and long-term transitional housing for people with a range of needs. Some of the original tenants have become building superintendents and role models. Two units on the ground floor are set aside for individuals released from prison with mental illness and paid for by Correctional Service of Canada. The ground floor also has an office for supportive services staff to help residents with daily living and to offer education and employment resources. Residents are encouraged to participate in community activities, including a community garden and an annual community barbecue.

Stella Burry received a $23,700 interest-free CMHC Proposal Development Funding loan to help cover the costs of preparing preliminary plans and drawings. Construction funds included $252,000 from the CMHC’s Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP), and $665,917 from the federal Supportive Communities Partnership Initiative (SCPI). The City of St. John’s waived property taxes and provided other in-kind support. The community donated a total of $20,000. Correctional Service of Canada provides $15,000 annually for the two units for former female inmates with mental illness. The net result is that the housing with the support services needed to ensure a smoother transition back into society is affordable even at social assistance rates.

In 2002, Carew Lodge was nominated for a CMHC Affordable Housing Innovation Award for Excellence for the consultation and project management process it used to bring this project to fruition.

Canadian Funding Corporation presents inspiring cases of housing solutions for people with a variety of needs.