In the early 1970's, a group of Manitoba community organizations came together to find ways to offer persons with disabilities, opportunities to pursue more independent lifestyles.

Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. was established as a result of this unique partnership.

Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. was originally planned as an integrated apartment complex for people with physical disabilities who wanted to make the transition to living independently in the community. As the only organization of it's type in Manitoba, Ten Ten Sinclair is a forerunner in the "learning through living" philosophy of fostering self-reliance by providing an environment supportive of experimentation, skill development and confidence building.

For over two decades, Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. has worked in partnership with individuals and private and public sector organizations to identify and respond to the changing needs of the community it serves.

Today, Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. encompasses a vital and growing group of housing models, services and administrative activities that support people with physical disabilities as they take increased personal responsibility for their environment and their lives.

Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. looks forward to providing continued, cooperative and pro-active support to those seeking to maximize their physical independence.

Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. provides support services to a number of housing models in Winnipeg. Each model is unique, but they share a philosophical commitment to the promotion of personal independence through a tenant-directed cooperative approach.

• Built to offer transitional, integrated accommodations to 75 individuals, Ten Ten Sinclair provides an opportunity to "learn through living". Here, with the support of a capable staff, tenants gain the life skills and confidence they need to go on community living.

• Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. also provides administrative support to four Fokus Housing units. The Fokus system provides permanent housing which blends wheelchair accessible suites, attendant services, and the opportunity for integrated community living. Fokus is home to 45 adults with disabilities.

• The organization's proven ability to facilitate the development of housing models and to provide ongoing administrative support has been noted by the community. In 1992, Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. was asked by prospective tenants to provide support to a six person cluster housing satellite now called Westwood Cluster. In 1994, Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. helped develop and now provides attendant services to the Watson Cluster. The first supportive housing model in Manitoba to operate out of a co-operative.

Over the years, Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. has welcomed opportunities to work with other groups and organizations to provide beneficial services to the community. Today, these services include :

Wheelchair Accessible Housing Registry

The registry matches individuals in Winnipeg and Manitoba with housing units suitable for wheelchair users. It includes a computerized database listing suitable apartment buildings and dwelling units, as well as a listing of registrants interested in such accommodations. The database identifies subsidized and affordable housing and accessible private market housing appropriate for younger or senior tenants. As part of the registry, Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. also keeps up to date records of housing stock not specifically designed to be wheelchair accessible, but satisfactory for some registrants.

More information on the Housing Registry

Don Ament is the Housing Coordinator. He can be reached at DGAment@tenten.mb.ca