Prairie Manor

PROJECT INFORMATION:

The Mustard Seed Edmonton’s Prairie Manor is a new supportive housing building that offers residents affordable housing with wrap-around supports. Located in the Strathcona Junction area, Prairie Manor provides much needed supportive housing units to those experiencing poverty and homelessness.

The Mustard Seed has converted an existing hotel into a residential building in Strathcona Junction, which includes the Queen Alexander and Old Strathcona communities in close proximity. The project involved retrofitting 85 hotel units to create self-contained bachelor units that are rented as affordable supportive housing units. The building underwent several renovations, including:

  • Addition of kitchen suites in each unit
  • Painting and cosmetic adjustments throughout the building
  • Exterior alterations to meet City requirements for garbage and recycling and fire safety access
  • Creation of outdoor amenity space for residents on the south end of the property
  • Additional electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing work to accommodate residential uses

The Mustard Seed contracted L7 Architecture and Maple Reinders Construction to complete project design and construction. The site renovations began February 2022 and the project was completed in July 2022.

In January 2022 we released an online survey for the community to provide feedback on our draft Prairie Manor Good Neighbour Plan. You can read our 'What We Heard' report here.

Prairie Manor Timeline

Prairie Manor Pre-Renovations

PRAIRIE MANOR FAQ’s

  • WHAT IS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING?

    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.

  • WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR THIS PROJECT, WHAT EXPERIENCE DOES THE MUSTARD SEED HAVE?

    In October 2021, the City of Edmonton identified that there are approximately 2,500 individuals without appropriate and adequate housing, with 500 Edmontonians sleeping outside on any given night. In order to combat this need in the community, the City of Edmonton’s Affordable Housing Investment Plan cites the creation of an additional 2,500 affordable housing units, with 600 units of supportive housing by the end of 2022.

    Prairie Manor is a direct response to a unique call to action across municipal and federal levels of government. As a recipient of CMHC’s Rapid Housing Initiative Program and the City of Edmonton’s Affordable Housing Investment Plan, Prairie Manor will contribute 85 supportive housing units as part of the Rapid Housing Initiative’s total target of 9,200 new affordable housing units across Canada.

    The solution to homelessness is housing and support services. The Mustard Seed is currently and successfully operating 2 Supportive Housing projects as well as housing focused shelters within Edmonton. This allows us to immediately help people from all walks of life and connect those in need to housing and community supports.

  • WHERE IS THE SPACE AND WHY WAS IT CHOSEN?

    Opened in July 2022, Prairie Manor is located in the Strathcona Junction area. After assessment of the Strathcona community, we continue to see a need for housing supports and accessible services for Edmonton’s most vulnerable. It is estimated that 1000 people in Strathcona were in need of a place to sleep between April - September 2021.

  • WHO WILL GET SELECTED TO LIVE IN THIS HOUSING?

    The project will focus on housing marginalized and over-represented populations experiencing poverty. We are committing to maintaining a 60% Indigenous tenant population and reserving 30% of units for women. In order to qualify for residence in the housing programs, potential residents must meet the following criteria:

    • Valid photo ID
    • Residents must be a minimum of 18 years of age
    • Residents must be able to provide proof of income in order 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
    • Single occupancy only
    • No pets allowed on premises
  • WHAT SUPPORTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS TO ENSURE THEIR CONTINUED HOUSING STABILITY?

    The proposed housing project will have staff present 24/7 at the building to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. Our staff receive first responder training for various emergencies and are able to respond to crises 24/7 in and around the premises. Staff will support residents in a variety ways, including:

    • Lease Management
    • Resident Support Referrals
    • HomeCare
    • AISH
    • AlbertaWorks
    • Occupational Therapy
    • Property Management
    • Spiritual Care and Cultural Supports
    • Purposeful Living/Meaningful Daily Activities
    • Employment Coaching and More
  • WHAT SAFETY MEASURES DOES THE MUSTARD SEED HAVE IN PLACE?

    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:

    • 24/7 Onsite Staffing
    • Security Cameras
    • FOB Systems
    • Fire Safety and Emergency Plan
    • Incident Reports
    • Multidisciplinary Case Management
  • WILL THERE BE AN AVENUE FOR MY BUSINESS TO DISCUSS THIS PROJECT?

    At this time any and all questions or concerns should be forwarded to Stephanie Kurach, Prairie Manor Manager at StephanieKurach@TheSeed.ca or Katie Kitschke, Director of Housing at KatieKitschke@TheSeed.ca