Battleford council approves supportive housing application with conditions

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The care home is intended for adults only, with no children living on-site. Prospective clients must have completed both detox and treatment before being admitted and may require additional life-skills support to assist with reunification with their children.  

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Are the clients that will attend this care home doing so on a voluntary basis as part of the detox treatment program, or it is mandatory attendance due to court orders?  

Attendance will be completely voluntary. Clients choose to participate and sign informed consent forms to receive support services with no mandatory or court-ordered placements. Clients are not confined to the property at all times. 

Has the proposed operation received any approvals from the Provincial or Federal governing bodies for the operation of a Residential Care Home/Facility?  

No approvals have been received. The legal representative stated that the “purpose of the home does not fall within the definition of ‘care facility’ under The Residential Services Act, 2019.” They explained this is because the home operates as voluntary supportive housing for adults only and does not provide treatment, custodial care, supervision, or personal care services as defined under the Act.  

Council also learned more about the support offered through this program including referrals to professional counselling, support with education and employment pathways, assistance with housing searches, and information about child-care resources. 

“This is something that there’s not very much information on how it’s going to be managed, how it’s going to be held accountable, and who is having that liability,” said Mayor Ames Leslie.  

That’s why council has approved the application with requirements that the applicant obtains all required development approval from government agencies and meets all fire and building code requirements.  

“It’s our decision to make sure what entities are in our community are safe, beneficial, and contribute to the overall strategic plan of our community. I feel that this resolution meets all of those. If they are able to meet those restrictions and those requirements, then council will welcome that with open arms.” 

Leslie added that he and council will rely on the facility’s neighbours to respectfully report anything that seems unusual, but they also need to respect the client’s ability to live in the community as well. 

“If they’re not causing any issues or they’re not causing any crime or any destruction to property, then they have every right, no different than you or I or anybody else in residence, to move about the community as they see fit.” 

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com