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HB NEWS CRIBWOLF MODEL A ‘STEPPING STONE, Continued from page 1 lished documents on the topic —a 2018 report from Ontario Developmen- a serie housing task force — listed almost 16,000 adults with IDD waiting for ant classified the situation asa “crisis" that has been grow- ing for at least 20 years. Small group homes are among the most common settings currently meeting then need for some. But Lino ho for now to preparef for the "tsu- mi" of individuals with IDD who will be seeking supportive housing as eir parents, often their primary caregivers, get older. “The aging demograph- ic has become more signif- icant now," he said, noting the pandemic has exacer- bated concerns about ma- jor illnesses striking care- givers. "We have a huge cri- sis here because most par ents on arene role. If that oats taken what hap- Fera, who authored a book on the topic, titled “The Waiting Game," has an adult son with a rare disorder and special needs. Like others, he has bee: the provincial wait-] ist for “When we build, there's going to be a lineup. It's like Field of Dreams - they will come.” more than 20 years. Inresponse to the crisis, the Cribwolf Foundation has put forth a multi-unit residential community (MURC) model as the fu- of supportive housing mixed tenancy for adults over age 2) with IDD, who would li long- side other local residents in the building, such as se- niors. The concept would provide access to qualified support staff to meet IDD needs ranging from super- vised independent living to more significant hourly suppoi “The MURC. housing model entails the con struction of a much- need- ed newer housing concept, such as multiple floors of one, two- and three-bed- apartment-style units; explains the Crib- wolf website, which notes there would be some units for respite use, and space for recreation and commu- nity activities. "This housing model of choice will ensure a safe, secure, and inclusive envie ronment i in which all re - Lino Fera dents can experience inde- pendence, social inclusion, personal growth, and ré ceive their daily supports as needed. Cribwolthas been work: 1g att thet issue in the corn munity and is looking to secureits charitable status in the near future, which will enable the foundation to access the institutional and public donations need- ed to fund large-scale going to bea lineup. It's like me ii of Dreams _— poey co! id. What gots me out of bed every morning is knowing that once we build this, we can replicate it." t atime when support: ive housing options limited, local parent Lisa Cannii sees models like Cribwolf's as a “stepping-stone” that could be replicated to meet Cribwolf Foundation photo Cribwolf Foundation founders Lino Fera (left) and Matt George (right) meet H housing meeting In in ‘Ottawa. miliar (for supportive i hangs 8 E whom willneed supportive housing in the future. Burlington's Kimberly Wentrot also said she be- lieves the MURC vision would work to help those like her son Jacob. verbal and fed by a gas- tronomy tube, with Wen- trot working part-time to ensure she can pet there to moet t Jacob's n ee recued that more Pogbverment action is the: needacrossthe region. also required to collective- ‘umerous individuals, ly address the supportive in north Halton especially, housing needand Shortage have to] of trained ty they've been part of for most of their lives to relo- cate to somewhere unfe juired for some individu. als with IDD, like personal support workers and nurs- CULINARY: simi + CURATED EXPERIENCES. mmons speaker Anthony Rota at a ing staff. "It's not only housing that's a problem, it's the whole health-care system. It's just so complex," said. "We need federal and government The call for further sup- port from the upper levels. of government is also ech- ood by the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC), which has member organizations across the province dedicated to the supportive using cause, including Cril cent of the National Hous- ing Strategy funding it re- ceives to create accommo- tions for individuals with IDD. Late last year, the pro- vincial government an- SAYS PARENT IH UOWEH = dl UL | 2 nounced $13 million in = with accessible and afford- = able housing in their re- 7 seth commit ties. oa cently released it its aon 8 to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion plan that looks reform the developmen- tal services system in On- tario and connect people with IDD with appropriate housing. For special needs par- ents in Halton and beyond who worry daily about their children’s future, more housing solutions can't come soon enough. "We go to sleep ing, what if I don't wake up iomorrow?" said Fera. "The coe if i is always on our min vor further details, visit cribwolf-foundation.org. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the need for affordable supportive using options growing, we wanted to take a closer look at the situation and how organizations like the Cribwolf Foundation plan to address the issue. SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA BOOK YOUR OVERNIGHT AT _ NIAGARAFALLSTOURISM.COM