Nucleus Independent Living is a non-profit organization fully funded by the Ministry of Health and governed by a Board of Directors. Formally named Nucleus Housing the organization was officially established in 1983 to provide housing for individuals with physical disabilities. Since its inception, Nucleus has grown to include outreach services in the community and provides services for approximately 100 consumers. In 2004, Nucleus Housing changed its name to Nucleus Independent Living to better represent the services of the organization and the independent living philosophy.

In 1981, the Canadian Paraplegic contacted some patients at Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Hospital to try and help them determine their needs. The patients had recently sustained spinal cord injuries and would require wheelchair accessible housing with attendant services.

It was very evident that there was a shortage of appropriate accommodations. Many people felt that super human efforts were made to save their lives but very little thought given to life beyond the hospital. Existing support service projects had extensive waiting lists with a possible vacancy of 1-2 years. Many people were having to face the grim possibility of chronic care institutions, or having to move home to inaccessible environments and put the onus on family members for assistance; hence the birth of Nucleus.

That group of patients were the founding consumers of Nucleus. As they began to learn about what was needed to develop their own organization they realized that they would require a well developed strategy if they were to achieve their goal to live independently in the community.

The first meeting was held in February 1982. It was at that time that the name "Nucleus Housing" was chosen. Nucleus was also approved as a Cheshire Homes Foundation affiliate organization. Nucleus decided to develop themselves as an attendant services co-operative with the majority of the members of the Board of Directors being tenants (consumers).

Nucleus Housing Inc. was incorporated in August 1982 and in July 1983 began providing 24-hour attendant services for 14 individuals who had sustained spinal cord injuries. Nucleus was the first organization created and operated by people with a disability.

In 1998, Nucleus was approved to provide an Outreach Program in Peel Region for 20 people. In the spring of 2002, the Ministry of Health informed Nucleus that they would receive additional funding to provide supportive housing services to approximately 15 more people.

In 2009 Nucleus has expanded its mission to include a Seniors Division. As an Approved Provider of Supports for Daily Living (SDL) Services, we also work with seniors who require assistance with their activities of daily living so that they may continue to live independently in their homes for as long as possible.