Questions and Answers - Affordable Supportive Living Initiative

When were grant applications to be submitted for 2011-2012?

The deadline for the submission of grant applications was Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

What criteria was used to evaluate the grant applications?

The grant applications were reviewed and ranked by a cross-ministry panel and must have met established program criteria while having the lowest grant funding request. Recommendations were provided to the minister who had final approval.

Why is this year’s grant application process focused on specific areas of the province and how were those areas determined?

This year, funding was made available for the locations that have been identified by Alberta Health Services as having the greatest need for additional access to affordable supportive living accommodation services.

This will help ensure that there is an adequate supply of affordable supportive living spaces throughout the province to better address the needs of Albertans.

What is meant by "proposed projects must be financially sustainable in the long-term"?

Projects must demonstrate that they are capable of providing affordable supportive living under the terms of the program over at least a 32-year period. This analysis should assume that no additional capital or operating assistance will be available from the government and should indicate the basis that accommodation charges will be adjusted over time.

What does "a person with high health and personal care needs" mean?

A person with high health and personal care needs is generally a person who can no longer live independently without significant assistance with daily living activities such as health monitoring, assistance with administering of medications, dressing and bathing.

Could surplus space within a health facility be converted to supportive living?

Yes. The conversion of surplus space within a health facility (or within any existing structure) may represent a cost-effective approach to developing and operating affordable supportive living spaces. Where the infrastructure is surplus to the needs of Alberta Health Services, the grant applicant and Alberta Health Services may jointly propose the transfer of ownership of the infrastructure, or may enter into a long-term capital lease arrangement.

Will funding be provided for projects that have previously received a grant under the Seniors Supportive Housing Incentive Program (SSHIP), Healthy Aging Partnership Initiative (HAPI), Rural Affordable Supportive Living (RASL), Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI), Lodge Modernization and Improvement (LMI), or another provincial capital development program?

Yes, any project that received previous funding under a provincial capital grant program may apply to cover the costs of enhancing accommodation for residents with high personal and health care needs in an affordable supportive living setting.

Can the funds be used for operating costs?

No. Funds may only be used for eligible capital costs. 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.

Could a management body make a grant application for a project that is not operated under the Alberta Housing Act?

Yes. This has been done on a number of occasions. For example where the management body has decided to enter into a contract with Alberta Health Services and operate the project as a Designated Supportive Living (DSL) project.

Can a proposed facility be on leased land?

A facility may be placed on leased land provided the lease is for a longer term than that outlined in the grant funding agreement between the supportive living operator and the Province of Alberta (i.e., more than 32 years).

Will funding be provided for supportive living projects that are already under construction or completed?

Yes. Funding would only be provided for enhancements to completed projects that would allow for the accommodation of those with high personal and health care needs. Projects under construction would be required to demonstrate that the grant funding will enable the project to provide affordable supportive living spaces.

Are mixed facilities (e.g., lodge, designated supportive living) eligible, where a portion of the facility does not meet the mandate of the program?

Mixed facilities will be considered. Only those elements of the grant application that meet the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative criteria will be considered for funding. Funding and sustainability for the non-eligible portions of the project will have to be demonstrated through the grant application.

Are private sector organizations eligible to apply for this program?

Yes, however, a private household wishing to develop a project to house themselves and/or a family member with a disability would not be eligible.

Do management bodies require the Minister of Seniors' approval for long-term financing (i.e., borrowing for more than a year)?

Yes, in accordance with section 25 of the Management Body Operation and Administration Regulation under the Alberta Housing Act. The request for borrowing and letters of support of member municipalities should be included as part of the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative grant application.

Do management bodies require the approval of requisitioning municipalities?

Yes, if the grant application involves an increase in requisitions. Whenever a management body makes a decision that will have financial implications on the member municipalities, all of the municipalities are required to provide a council resolution approving the increase in requisitions.

If a supportive living project is added to a lodge, is it exempt from property taxes?

Yes. In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, seniors' lodges, governed by the Alberta Housing Act, are exempt from property and education taxes.

What conditions will be placed on the funds provided through this program?

The following are some, but not all, of the conditions that are included in a grant funding agreement:

• Grant amount;
• Use of the grant;
• Timing regarding the use of the grant;
• Insurance requirements;
• Annual reporting on the progress of the project;
• Final report on the use of the grant;
• Default provisions;
• Conditions requiring repayment of all or a portion of the grant;
• Term of the agreement (i.e., 32 years); and,
• Annual reporting requirements.

How soon does the grant have to be spent?

In the event successful grant applicants have not signed the grant agreement within six (6) months after receiving the approval letter, the grant approval will be cancelled outright. The time period for completion of the project is twenty-four (24) months, and ministerial approval must be sought for any extension. The Minister may also demand that the grant be returned if there is insufficient evidence of the project moving forward.

How will the grant funding be provided to successful applicants?

Once the capital 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 32 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.

What would not be funded under the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative?

Ineligible spaces (see below) geared to higher income seniors, long-term care spaces and health care spaces (e.g., palliative, transitional, or emergency) built as part of a grant applicant's overall project, as well as project capital costs that cannot be completely attributed to the development of a supportive living project, are deemed ineligible for funding.

What is the difference between "eligible" and "ineligible" spaces?

"Eligible" spaces are those spaces that are charged out on a basic rate (that includes three meals per day, housekeeping and linen laundry service, as well as an activities program) for a studio or one-bedroom suite that does not exceed the regulated maximum private room rate for a long-term care facility (currently $1,700 per month). The Affordable Supportive Living Initiative grant applies only to eligible spaces.

"Ineligible" spaces have rates that exceed the basic rate applied to "eligible" spaces and may or may not offer services and spaces (e.g. two-bedroom suites) that meet or exceed the basic supportive living services.

Please clarify what "Designated Supportive Living" is.

"Designated Supportive Living" (DSL) is a space in an accommodation setting that typically serves residents with higher health needs, but who do not need the level of care provided in a long-term care facility. As a result, there may be more professional staff on site and special physical design features may be needed to better meet the needs of special populations.

To address the higher care needs of their residents, designated supportive living operators will assume greater responsibility for supervising client safety, protecting clients, and providing personal care services. These responsibilities are provided through a contractual arrangement with Alberta Health Services.

Alberta Health Services conducts individual assessments to determine the eligibility of a person to placed in or be discharged from a designated supportive living setting. Typically DSL projects are classified as Level 3 or 4 on the Government of Alberta  Supportive Living Framework.

Can management bodies apply for Lodge Assistance Program grants?

If the facility is operated under the Alberta Housing Act by a management body, it could be eligible for Lodge Assistance Program (LAP) funding. An application for a LAP grant would need to be submitted as part of the application process.