Alberta Seniors and Community Supports is currently accepting applications for funding for the 2009-2010 Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI).

New for 2009-2010
Purpose
Project Selection
Program Criteria
Target Population and Facility Type
Eligible Organizations
Funding

New for 2009-2010

1. Applicants must provide documentation clearly supporting the need and feasibility of the project at a level 3 or 4 of the supportive living framework and evidence that they have discussed the project with the local community, municipality, Alberta Health Services, etc.
2. The project needs to meet the design requirements specified by Alberta Health Services if the project is to be used for Designated Assisted Living in the future. Applicants will be required to meet all fire safety requirements of the Alberta Building Code for clientele with higher level needs (see attached definitions sheet).
3. Private household wishing to develop a project to house themselves and a family member with a disability are not eligible.
4. The grant recipient must establish a separate bank account for the grant and any interest accrued, and provide annual reports on the bank account to the department.
5. Reporting requirements will be tied to the funding advances. For example, evidence of land ownership or a long term lease (minimum 22 years) and a copy of the development permit must be provided before the first advance of the grant funding.
6. The grant recipient must register the grant agreement as a restrictive covenant on their land title. This will ensure that prospective purchasers of the project are aware of the grant agreement.
7. The grant recipient must provide confirmation that the project has started within nine months of the effective date of the agreement. The grant recipient will have to request an amendment to the agreement and provide appropriate rationale if the project is not started within nine months.
8. The grant agreement will require reporting for a 20 year timeframe after the project is complete. Therefore, the agreement will be in effect for 22 years after approval of the agreement. This is to account for the time it takes to build and occupy most projects, and operate as a supportive living facility for 20 years.

Purpose

The purpose of the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative is to provide affordable supportive living options to accommodate low and moderate income seniors and persons with disabilities who require accommodation services in combination with health and personal care services to remain in their communities.

The program is available to all Alberta communities.

Project Selection

The evaluation and selection of proposed projects from interested organizations will be based on an assessment of detailed project proposals.

Priority will be given to projects that respond to the housing, health and personal care needs of seniors and persons with disabilities in supportive living settings as identified in regional continuing care service plans, community plans or other housing needs studies.

It should be noted that needs and feasibility assessment grant funding may be available to assist smaller management bodies and non-profit groups in assessments regarding supportive living developments in their communities. A separate application can be made for this type of funding assistance.

Applications must be submitted to Alberta Seniors and Community Supports by 4:30 p.m., September 30, 2009.

Program Criteria

Each project must comply with all of the following program criteria:

• The housing proponent must be a non-profit voluntary or private sector organization, local housing authority or management body, community group, municipality or some combination thereof.
• Private households wishing to develop a project to house themselves and/or a family member with a disability are not eligible.
• The housing proponent must provide evidence with their application of ownership or have a long-term lease (minimum 22 years) on the site for the proposed supportive living project.
• The project must provide supportive living spaces capable of accommodating low and moderate income seniors and/or persons with special needs who require accommodation services in combination with health and/or personal care services.
• The room, board and housekeeping charges cannot exceed the maximum accommodation rates for private rooms in long-term care facilities.
• The housing proponent must be able to demonstrate that they have had communication with Alberta Health Services or other appropriate funding authority regarding the feasibility of their project.
• The proponent must demonstrate the project can be developed in a timely manner. Projects should be able to demonstrate they will be under construction within nine months of the effective date of the grant funding agreement under the ASLI program.
• Proponents that have not started their projects within nine months will be required to request an amendment to their grant agreement and provide appropriate rationale, or their grant approval will be cancelled and they will be asked to return any funds advanced.
• The project must be clearly defined and financially sustainable in the longer term.
• The housing proponent must clearly show a commitment and capability to manage the cost of developing, financing, maintaining and operating the project.
• The housing proponent must provide documentation clearly supporting the need and feasibility of the project in the community.
• The housing proponent must provide evidence that they have made an effort to discuss their project with the local community.

Target Population and Facility Type

Proposed projects must involve the development of a new facility or the modification or upgrading of an existing facility to provide supportive living spaces capable of accommodating low and moderate income seniors and persons with special needs who require accommodation services in combination with health and personal care services.

Projects must be supportive living facilities that fall within Level 3 (Assisted Living) or Level 4 (Enhanced Assisted Living) of the Government of Alberta Supportive Living Framework.

Eligible projects could range from small group homes to larger supportive living facilities and could be developed as part of a “community of care” project involving independent living, supportive living and long-term care spaces. Funding could also be provided to support the development of affordable supportive living units within a larger project serving a range of income levels and client needs.

Eligible Organizations

• Management bodies established under the Alberta Housing Act,
• Non-profit organizations incorporated under the Societies Act, Part 9 of the Companies Act, or the Cooperatives Act,
• Private organizations incorporated under the Companies Act or Business Corporations Act.
• Municipalities,
• Other organizations at the discretion of the Minister of Seniors and Community Supports.

Funding

Program funds will be used to provide a provincial contribution towards the initial capital cost of supportive living projects. The provincial contribution under this program will be limited to a maximum of 50 per cent of the total eligible capital cost of the project.

Needs and feasibility assessment grant funding may be available to assist smaller management bodies and non-profit groups in assessments regarding supportive living developments in their communities. A separate application can be made for this type of funding assistance.

Once the ASLI grant is approved:

1. 50 per cent of the grant will be advanced when the grant funding agreement is signed and evidence of land ownership or a long term lease (minimum 22 years) and a copy of the development permit are provided;
2. An additional 40 per cent of the grant will be advanced upon receipt of a Construction Progress Report, showing that the project is at least 50 per cent complete. As well, a copy of the building permit, construction insurance and WCB coverage must be submitted if not provided earlier;
3. The remaining 10 per cent will be advanced upon receipt of a Certificate of Substantial Performance, a signed Construction Progress Report, a complete Supportive Living Cost and Activity Survey as specified in Schedule D of the grant agreement and an Audited Financial Statement of Final Capital Costs as specified in Schedule E of the agreement.

The grant recipient will be required to register the grant agreement as a restrictive covenant on their land title. This will ensure that prospective purchasers of the project are aware of the grant agreement.

The grant recipient will be required to establish a separate bank account for the grant and any interest accrued and provide annual reports on the bank account to the department. This will ensure that the grant funds are not assimilated into the grant recipient’s general operating accounts.