A supportive housing facility for people with serious mental illness is seeking more funding to open a second location — but management say they have just enough to maintain operations at their sole location near downtown Windsor.
Iris House opened in 2003 and currently has 67 residents. One of them is David Blainey who began living at the centre 21 years ago.
“It saved my mental health,” said Blainey, adding he has schizoaffective disorder. “On the proper medication, this is the only establishment in the city where I can function.”
Blaney said he has been hearing administration’s calls for a second location and “prays” they come true.
That’s because the wait list to get into Iris House on Ouellette Avenue, which provides food, shelter and programming for its residents, spans one year.
Karen Soulliere, board chair for Iris Residential Inns, said the number of people requesting space in Iris House …