“Why Wait?” invests in people with developmental disabilities

June 1, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Brock Weir

Individuals and families with developmental disabilities are set to receive new unique housing options.

Dr. Helena Jaczek, Ontario’s Minister of Community and Social Services, was in Aurora last week visiting York Support Services Network, where she announced new investment in a local collaborative housing demonstration project entitled “Why Wait?”

A partnership between York Support Services Network, York Region Lifetime Independent Facilitators and Montage Support Services, the project is designed to give eight families the opportunity to plan more self-directed, creative and sustainable housing options for their adult children rather than waiting for vacancies to pop up at government group homes.

“There is no one-size fits all solution for housing adults with developmental disabilities,” said Dr. Jaczek. “It is not just about finding more supports, it is about finding better solutions. More housing options are part of a more inclusive society.”

Marie Lauzier, Executive Director of York Support Services, said as of March there were 945 individuals requiring “immediate residential options” and nearly 1,200 seeking residential services in the near future.

“This is a very important project, but a very small drop in the bucket, but a really important project to us,” she said, pointing out the parents and families who have proposed some creative options. “They really have been the movers and shakers here. This project will empower people to make their own choices on how they are supported.”