More supportive living options sought

A former RCMP house in Tignish might have to be returned to the federal government if Community Inclusions Inc. cannot secure the funding it needs to turn it into a supportive living residence.

Kevin Porter, executive director, said Community Inclusions has had the house for a few years but, so far, they don’t have access to funding to turn it into a residence for clients interested in a supported living apartment and to operate it as such.

Porter said the need is there and, by the growing number of educational assistants in the school system, he said the need is projected to rise. Co-chairpersons of Community Inclusions, Maurice Poirier and Heidi Mallett, explained during the organization’s annual meeting the RCMP House would become their third supportive living residence, joining the Tignish Group Home, which opened in 1986, and Alberton House which has been operating since 2010.

They acknowledged the organization’s fiscal challenges, noting that despite a small increase in core funding last year, it is still trying to recover from previous cuts. They received special funding from the Provincial Homelessness Initiative which helped with roofing work, interior painting, enhanced accessibility and new furniture at O’Leary offices and apartments, painting at Alberton House and a new TV at the Tignish residence.

They’re hoping the initiative would help with furnishing the federal building in Tignish if funding comes available to move that project forward. Maple House Bakery and Café in O’Leary was highlighted as a success story for the organization.