Community Living Huntsville receives $345K grant for disability-inclusive home renovation

Community Living Huntsville’s Diane Lupton (left), Manager of Community Supports, Suzanne Willett, Executive Director, and Chris Jordan-Stevens, Manager of Supported Group Living, are eager to start essential repairs, renovations, and accessibility improvements for the not-for-profit organization’s aging home at 18 Main Street West. Photo by Community Living Huntsville.

Huntsville, Ontario – Community Living Huntsville has received $345,000 in funding to help renovate its home at 18 Main St. W., in Huntsville, to provide safe, affordable, and supported housing for people with disabilities who would otherwise have nowhere else to live.

“We want – and need – to be part of the solution for dignified, accessible, and affordable housing in our community,” says Suzanne Willett, Executive Director for Community Living Huntsville. “These renovations will breathe new life into this aging home and provide better opportunities for people to live as included community members where everyone belongs, while improving accessibility and meeting building standards.”

The funding is provided by the Government of Canada via Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy in the Rural and Remote Homelessness stream, and administered by United Way Simcoe Muskoka. It will partially fund renovations at the home, locally known as Floral Villa, to create at least three apartments – one of which will be fully accessible – plus office space and a shared kitchen.

“Reaching Home gives organizations the capacity to help people find safe, stable, and affordable housing,” said Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. “By renovating Flora Villa, Community Living Huntsville and the United Way Simcoe Muskoka will provide people with disabilities an affordable place to call home.”

The home, built in the mid-1880s by former Huntsville reeve George Hutcheson, has been extensively modified over time and is not officially designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. In addition to a family home, the property was previously operated by former owners as a bed and breakfast and as a real estate office. Community Living Huntsville first opened the home for community members with developmental disabilities in 1990.

The not-for-profit organization will work on the renovations with qualified contractors, who will be responsible for all required design, permits, approvals, project management, and construction. The estimated project timeline is June 2026 to March 2027.

“I am grateful that this grant will help fund essential repairs and improvements to a home that is more than 100-years old and in need of a lot of costly work,” says Willett. “This work is essential because our organization is committed to creating a community of belonging together and housing is a critical part of that vision, especially for adults with developmental disabilities who face some of the longest wait times and most significant barriers to safe, affordable homes.”

Willett adds that, while the organization is thrilled with the investment, it still requires additional funds to complete the project.

The organization is committed to sharing additional information as the project continues. Anyone interested in learning more about Community Living Huntsville’s housing initiatives – and donating toward the renovation – can visit clhuntsville.ca.

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside more than 300 children and adults, and their families, to promote and advance meaningful choice and real inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, so people, families, and our community can thrive. Learn more at clhuntsville.ca and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.