Our last article concluded that community-based supportive housing gives people with disabilities access to a high quality of life. When this housing is not available, people must often live in settings with unsuitable living conditions, such as nursing homes. In contrast, when people can freely choose the supports they need, they gain the freedom and independence to lead more productive lives and connect easily with others. As a result, AODA housing standards should require expansion of supportive housing in Ontario. In this article, we will explore best practices for supportive housing that AODA standards could one day develop into guidelines.
Best Practices for Supportive Housing
What is supportive housing?
Supportive housing allows people to receive the supports they need to live independently in their own homes. Depending on people’s differing abilities and needs, they may use a variety of supports, including:
- Assistance in daily living, such as:
- Household tasks, such as cooking or cleaning
- Personal grooming
- Taking medicines
- Budgeting
- Training on life skills, such as:
- Money management
- Meal preparation
- Counselling
- Support when applying for social assistance
- Connection to services provided in the community, such as for:
- Job searching
- Childcare
- Healthcare
- Leisure activities
- Legal services
While some people may always use housing supports, others will use services for a short time. Moreover, people use supports in a variety of settings. For instance, some people may receive support in a house, building, or complex where all residents receive the same type of supports. In this case, support may be an integral part of rental agreements. Alternatively, other people receive support in houses or apartments that they rent or own. In these cases, people likely arrange their supports separately from the rent or purchase of their homes.
However, people’s need for support may change over time. For instance, someone may need different levels of counselling at different times. Likewise, people may use more support when they begin budgeting and preparing meals, but less support as they grow accustomed to these tasks. Similarly, people may move from a supportive building or complex into a home that does not automatically include supports. In this situation, the staff of the supportive building or complex may support someone to transition into their new environment. Furthermore, staff can connect the person to supports they can access in the community, if needed.
Roles and Responsibilities
In addition, supportive housing involves the collaboration of many people and organizations, including:
- Residents
- Staff working in supportive housing units, buildings, or complexes
- Agencies that oversee housing programs, within communities or the Ontario government, including:
- Housing providers
- Local health integration networks
- The Ministry of Community and Social Services
- The Ministry of Children and Youth Services
- Indigenous organizations
AODA housing standards could outline basic roles and responsibilities of all of these people and groups. For instance, the standards could require that the ministries post and update a listing of the types and locations of available dwellings. Likewise, standards could mandate that supportive housing services clearly outline the processes to apply for a dwelling. These listings and processes could help potential residents make informed choices about where to live, and how to make their living arrangements.
Finally, standards could mandate solutions to overcome the shortage of supportive housing. For instance, standards could mandate the amount of supportive services that should be available in a given area. Government could partner with other sectors to develop more buildings or complexes offering supportive housing. In addition, these partnerships could establish guidelines for the working conditions of staff, such as personal support workers (PSWs). A public campaign could raise awareness about the need for support staff, so that more people would follow this career path.
Our next article will explore how housing standards can improve financial access to housing for people with disabilities.