needs of brain injury survivors.” However, despite the organization’s progress, one challenge remained persistent: housing. Brain injury survivors often struggle to find safe, affordable places to live. Many face barriers such as unstable employment, difficulty managing finances, or the need for supportive environments that traditional housing models don’t provide. In 2015, CRHISS took an important step by acquiring two small apartment buildings, each with 12 units, to provide stable housing for survivors. While this was a significant improvement, demand continued to outpace supply. “We had a long waitlist and nowhere to put people,” Shelley says. “We knew we needed to do more.” That realization set the stage for the development of Linda’s Place, a purpose-built apartment complex designed specifically to meet the needs of brain injury survivors. Unlike the organization’s previous housing projects, Linda’s Place was a brand-new development—a first for CRHISS. The idea was ambitious, and the learning curve steep. “We had never done a new build before,” Shelley admits. “We didn’t know what to expect— how to manage the tendering process, how to balance funding restrictions with what we actually needed.” Fortunately, CRHISS had strong partners, to guide them through the process. The architect on the project, for example, worked closely with the team to ensure the building was both functional and welcoming. “There were so many tough decisions,” Shelley says. “We wanted inunit washers and dryers, but that was out of the budget. We initially planned for only two fully APRIL 2025
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