The Mustard Seed Canora Centre

The proposed West End Housing Project is located at 10158/10162 155 Street NW.

The Mustard Seed has been operating the Christian Care Centre - a small drop-in location at 10137 150 St NW – for several years. In 2021, the Christian Care Centre has seen an average of 95 unique individuals accessing the community space per day. The proposed project will utilize our experience serving the community only a few blocks away from the proposed project site to purpose-build housing and community space that will be supportive to the demonstrated need.

Supportive Housing is a housing philosophy that combines affordable housing with wrap-around supports to ensure that residents can maintain stable housing and meet their goals of wellness and self-sufficiency. It is an alternative housing model that diligently works to prevent re-entry into homelessness or extreme poverty and reduce a resident's reliance on other social services such as the health care system, child welfare, and police and judicial systems.

Supportive housing is not a shelter, bridge housing, halfway house, or any other type of temporary accommodation. It is long-term housing with 24/7 supports. Residents sign a lease and pay rent and have a permanent, safe home.

The Mustard Seed’s Canora Centre is proposing 38 units of supportive housing, where residents will be provided with the necessary support to succeed at maintaining tenancy, including services to promote health, wellness, and life skills development. An important consideration for maintaining tenancy is affordability, which is why 100% of the units in this project will be maintained as affordable housing.

• To qualify for residence in the housing programs, potential residents must meet the following criteria:
• Residents must be a minimum of 18 years of age
• Residents must be able to provide proof of income to pay all required rent and utilities
• Residents must understand, sign, and comply with the Residential Services Agreement, House Rules, and Expectations of their tenancy
• Residents must be willing and able to care for themselves physically, mentally, medically, hygienically and/or have supports in place to aid with their self-care

The Mustard Seed is a Christian non-profit organization that has been caring for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1984. Our vision is to eliminate homelessness and reduce poverty where we serve. Our mission is to build hope and wellbeing for our most vulnerable citizens through Jesus’ love. Operating in five cities across Alberta and British Columbia, The Mustard Seed is a supportive haven where people can have their physical, mental, and spiritual needs met and grow toward greater health and independence. We have been an agent of change for more than three decades, thanks to our donors, volunteers, and support from the community.

Safety is The Mustard Seed’s number one priority in operating programming. Our programming works to create a safe and supportive space for all members of the program – clients, residents, staff, volunteers, and the greater community. Policies and procedures we have in place for safety and security include:

• Security cameras
• FOB systems
• Fire Safety and Emergency Plans
• Incident Reports
• Visitor Management Policies

The Mustard Seed’s Canora Centre will offer a continuum of wrap around supports, designed to promote, and foster wellness and sustainable living, by engaging and empowering tenants to access services that best meet their identified needs. This model provides an integrated approach with a principal focus on building meaningful relationships with other tenants, staff, community members, and the neighbourhood.

Four primary components comprise the platform of service provision. At the core are direct housing supports which will be services dedicated to meeting the direct needs and fostering success of tenants living in the building. The success of direct housing supports will be reliant and bolstered by the three other key components. Community hub services are an existing support offered at this site and will be fundamental in connecting those in the housing program with the community, maintaining and creating relationships that will be integral to their housing and wellness.

On-site services not provided by housing staff, or the community hub will be complemented by in-reached services embracing both internal and external agency services. Lastly, referrals, and assistance in maintaining supports with other community services will serve to promote a holistic and inclusive support system for tenants.