Autism home preparing to open

P.E.I.'s first residence and resource centre for young people with autism is nearly finished being built.

The 9,000-square-foot facility built by the Stars for Life Foundation is set to open in June. The $1.2 million project has been 10 years in the making, with funding both from the foundation and corporate donations.

Foundation co-founder Carolyn Bateman, who has a son with autism, told CBC News Tuesday there is an increasing need for the centre.

"Where there was only a dozen or so of us on the Island at one point, at least that's all we knew of, there are now hundreds," said Bateman.

Bateman says the centre will provide programs to help people learn to live independently, something that's been missing for people with autism who are no longer in the school system.

"We have plans to do a greenhouse. There's a lot of people who have severe autism and it may be impossible to get them out working in the community, so it would give them a chance to have a job," she said.

In addition to providing services, five people will live in the building.