Recent News & Events

IHS Commitment to Helping Others

At Innovative Housing Society, we take our mission statement “Creating Communities where people want to live” seriously. Part of creating a vibrant, fun place is being part of the Community around you. As a not for profit organization, we already have made a commitment to re-invest in accessible homes rather than enrich shareholders, yet we felt that we can do more. We are part of the Edmonton community and want to help it be a great place to live.

Some of our programs enrich people’s daily lives. Do you know that we host, in association with Mental Health, Edmonton Zone, the “Out of the Shadows” Art program for community members? This program lets artists and artists-in-training get together on a regular basis under the guidance of an instructor and develop their skills in an environment where everyone can grow and laugh together. As an added bonus, we have been able to frame some of the Art and hang it around our communities, making everyone’s life richer!

Other community activities we participate in are:

In association with Canadian Paraplegic Association Alberta, Indoor Bocce Ball.

In association with Alberta Health Services, the Community Linking Program which provides various activities such as Museum tours, Zoo trips etc., West End Fitness Referrals, where an AHS Recreation Therapist helps facilitate individualized fitness programs at Jasper Gates; and Paralympics Sport Association Wheelchair Square Dancing.

We have also hosted community floor hockey leagues, have yearly outdoor carnivals, petting zoos and even rabbits. Okay, the rabbits are here year round because this is their home too. I am not sure exactly how many live on our 10 acre site, but I see them and the squirrels almost every day. On really lucky days, an observant person will see a covey of partridges around the trees on the front of our community.

A large percentage of IHS' clients are on fixed incomes. We are pleased to have them living with us in a safe, secure community which ensures they get their three meals a day. Not everyone is so lucky however, and we wanted to do something to help. Each year, IHS donates to Operation Friendship 2,100 litres of soup or stew and 1,000 lbs. of Jell-O.

It is rewarding to see this marvellous program make a difference in the lives of people and we are very pleased to be able to help out.

We also donate space for a Nurse Practioner Clinic on site. This is a great program where skilled health care can be delivered in a timely fashion, improving people’s lives.

Resources are always limited but at IHS, we like to do whatever we can. We take pride in our efforts to help make Edmonton a better place to call home. We also want to congratulate our partners, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Mental Health, CP Association, Operation Friendship, Grey Nuns, Paralympics Sport Association and the many others whose commitment is to be applauded.
A Big Thank you!

IHS Board Chairman Steps Down to Seek MLA Seat

On October 8, 2010, I was acclaimed as the candidate for the Wildrose Alliance in Edmonton Highlands – Norwood in the next provincial election, to be held in March of 2012 or sooner.

Over the last ten years, I have watched the Innovative Housing Society grow from a small housing operator to an organization that continues to lead the way in the Alberta assisted living community. It is the collective hard work of the Board, executive and staff that continues to drive that vision forward.

I have always believed that it is the responsibility of the Chairman of the Board to direct and protect the organizations they are entrusted to represent without any conflicted interests, real or perceived. It is for that reason that effective today, I am resigning as Chairman of the Board of IHS to commit myself full time to defeating Brian Mason, the incumbent, and representing the constituents of Edmonton Highlands – Norwood as their next MLA.

It is my intention as members of a Wildrose Government, that I will influence policy that will return the Alberta advantage for all Albertans. My experience as Chairman of a non profit society has given me the unique experience of learning how to manage fiscal responsibility while meeting the social needs of our communities.

Over the next couple weeks, the Board will begin a selection process to find my successor.

I have enjoyed my time with IHS and wish you all continued success in the future.

~Wayde Lever

Villa Marguerite Expansion

IHS is pleased to announce the construction of our latest project, a 77 suite Designated Assisted Living Community. This addition to Villa Marguerite is designed specifically to create an accessible, safe living environment for people who require a little bit of extra attention each day, people who, for example, have been diagnosed with Alzheimers.

Fostering relationships, each floor will have a dining room for the exclusive use of the Residents who live close by. There will also be a large recreation room and out door patios, encouraging Residents to get to know their neighbours.

The suites, which are quite large at an average of 550 sq feet, have spacious accessible washrooms with oversized showers and combination sitting / sleeping areas.

Safety is a primary responsibility at IHS. It is for this reason that we have used the latest in technology to ensure the entire community is as secure and fire resistant as possible. The steel and concrete building is constructed to a higher standard than typically found in residential building. In fact, IHS is following the B2 section of the Building Codes, the same section that applies to Hospitals.

Here are some of the steps we are taking to ensure peoples safety;
• All non-combustible construction
• Fully sprinklered, including closets
• Computerized Fire Alarm System
• Computerized Emergency Response System
• Computerized Safety & Security System
• Integrated smoke & fire zones
• Oversized Emergency Response Plan.

Even with all these comprehensive measures we have taken great care to ensure that the new building will maintain the community feel of the existing building.

The addition is largely being built over top of existing parking, ensuring that as much green space as possible is being persevered. We also engaged the services of a Landscape Architect to coordinate the planting of new trees and shrubs. After you review the attached drawing we are sure you will agree with us that the new wing at Villa Marguerite compliments the current campus nicely.

We are proud of our new building and hope you share in our excitement. For more information on our Villa Marguerite expansion project, including progress updates, please click here.

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