Our Focus
Persons with intellectual disabilities in Canada are disproportionately experiencing homelessness, living in poverty, or in substandard housing. Inclusion Canada estimates that of the approximately 750,000 persons with intellectual disabilities in Canada, between 100,000 – 120,000 are experiencing housing and support gaps.
From a Housing First perspective, this lack of housing security underpins other gaps in peoples’ lives including access to support, services and social connection.
Knowing this, the work of the Lab focused on inclusive housing solutions that support and nurture belonging for everyone – including people with intellectual disabilities.
About The Lab
Welcome to the Inclusive Housing Solutions Lab that looked inside and outside the bricks and mortar of a building to explore what “home” means to us all.
Inclusive Housing Action Plan
It started with an Inclusive Housing Lab, now there’s an Action Plan too.
Lab Learnings
As part of the Lab process, we looked into the barriers and opportunities to creating inclusive housing. We conducted research through interviews, focus groups, peer research, and secondary research.
Resources
We’re all about sharing resources and information, and we’d love to hear from you if you have items to add to this Information Hub. Consider this a space to exchange knowledge and ideas! Visit regularly to see what’s new.
Neighbourly Connections & Mutual Support
The physical structure of our home is just one aspect of our inclusion in our neighbourhoods and communities.
Supportive Government Policy & Programs
Government policies and the relationship between the three levels of government can support or hinder aspects of inclusive housing.
Increased Inclusive Housing Options
The ways that people live together or alone can be limitless – we all have our own preferences. Unfortunately, residential buildings and policies can impact the ways in which we live together (or apart) and what the physical structures look like.