Maison La Paix (MLP)

The First 10 Years (1996 - 2006)

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Maison La Paix (MLP) is the brainchild of Groupe d’appui VIH-SIDA de Sudbury (HIV-AIDS Support Group of Sudbury). This organization was created in 1988 by local community leaders who were concerned with the fate of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs). The Support Group became a registered non-profit organization in 1991 with a volunteer Board of Directors and a charitable organization in 1998.

As the services provided by the Support Group evolved and increased, the need to establish a home for PHAs became more pressing. Maison “La Paix” (MLP) officially opened on December 1st, 1996 (World AIDS Day) on Cedar Street in Sudbury. Thanks to a partnership with the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, the HIV/AIDS Support Group was able to rent and renovate a house in downtown Sudbury to accommodate four residents.

The original mandate of Maison La Paix was to serve as an AIDS hospice. Since the Ontario government did not fund hospices at that time, MLP altered its mandate to become a supportive housing program for PHAs. In May 1998, MLP received temporary funding from the Sudbury Social Services Administration Board based on a 80% / 20% cost sharing arrangement with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) under the Homemakers’ and Nurses’ Services Act. MLP has remained on a priority list to receive permanent funding through the MOHLTC, but the Ministry presently cannot commit to future funding for HIV/AIDS supportive housing programs.

Maison La Paix bought the property at 303 Cedar Street for a nominal fee in 2002 from the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa.

Since 1996, Maison La Paix has accommodated over 50 residents. Seven PHAs & twenty-eight palliative residents have died at the house, surrounded by family, friends and a caring staff.