TORONTO — The provincial opposition is demanding answers from the Liberals in the wake of Global News stories revealing desperate families turning to extreme measures to get suitable housing for their adult children with developmental disabilities.
“When Global News approached the minister for her thoughts, she stated, ‘Are you sure you want to talk to me?’ How insulting,” said Randy Pettapiece, the PC Critic for the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Last week Global News reported about families who went to extreme measures to get their adult children into appropriate, supported housing.
READ MORE: Housing crisis for adults with developmental disabilities grows in Ontario: families
One mother said she had to declare her son homeless after checking him into a hospital psychiatric ward, in order to ensure he would have a place to go.
Despite other families telling similar stories, Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services Helena Jaczek’s staff declined interview requests.
When Global News talked to Jaczek at Queen’s Park Tuesday, her response was the province had invested $810 million dollars to help those with developmental disabilities. She repeated that when questioned by Pettapiece.
“We are making good progress in providing new residential supports,” she said. “This year alone, we have supplied 500 additional residential spaces.”
READ MORE: Ontario family takes drastic measures to find care home for son with autism
There are about 14,000 adults with developmental disabilities currently on the wait list.
“Will the minister apologize to families, take responsibility and start helping those most in need, and will she do it now?” asked Pettapiece.
Jaczek emphasized the families are still getting funding to help care for their adult children.
“Families who are on the residential wait list are already receiving some forms of support through our direct funding programs,” she said.
Dozens of families have reached out to Global News with heartbreaking stories in the wake of our reports on the issue.
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