McGuinty Government Building Strong Communities

TORONTO – The McGuinty government is delivering real, positive change for adults with a developmental disability by delivering 23 much-needed living spaces in Toronto to help them lead healthier, more independent lives, Community and Social Services.  Pupatello made the announcement at Reena, a community agency that will develop some of the spaces. 

"Having more places to live in the community will mean real, positive change to many Ontarians with a developmental disability," said Pupatello.  "People with a developmental disability want to live as independently as possible.  This commitment will help individuals waiting for housing get places faster so they can lead happier, healthier lives in their own homes."

The McGuinty government is investing a total of $24 million in capital and operating funding for 44 projects in 27 communities across the province.  This investment will improve the quality of life for adults with a developmental disability while helping families to access more community services.

The new spaces will address the needs of adults with a developmental disability whose parents are aging, those leaving the child welfare system and adults with changing and multiple special needs.   

"We have a responsibility to help support the most vulnerable people in our society," said Pupatello.  "We believe that fairness and dignity matter to Ontarians, and that investments like this build stronger communities for all of us."

In addition to the benefit to individuals who will move into the new housing spaces, this project will also free up much-needed resources in each of the communities.  Some of the new housing spaces will be taken by young adults who currently live in children's homes, thereby opening up spaces for more children to take advantage of those resources.

"Everybody wants to live in a safe place they can call home," said Mario G. Racco, MPP for Thornhill.  "By creating new housing across the province, we can help meet the needs of people with a developmental disability and allow them to live more happily and independently in a community near family and friends.  This is a real, positive change that will help make Ontario strong, healthy and prosperous."