Elmwood Residences’ Kinsmen Manor in Saskatoon has been around for over 50 years, and now the transition begins to smaller community homes.

Executive Director Rachael Steinke says they closed admissions for new residents with intellectual disabilities to the manor in 2017.

At its height, there were 50 residents living there and now there are 30. Steinke expects the transition will take about 3 to 5 years, as they look at building a number of community homes in different neighbourhoods.

It will take between 18 to 24 months to design, tender and construct bungalows to meet the needs of the residents.

Steinke says these smaller, more personalized homes will include 24/7 support by a team of disability support professionals, and it will also include health and recreational supports.

There are a number of reasons for the transition, but the biggest, Steinke says, is best practices. This will allow the residents to live as fulfilled a life as possible.

Also, Kinsmen Manor has been around since 1969, so it is in need of some major renovations.

Elmwood is a non-profit, community-based organization which supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. It operates 11 community homes, Kinsmen Manor and a large independent living program.