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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 5, 20 22 | 14 secneirepxE detaruC●erutluC●yraniluC MOC.MSIRUOTSLLAFARAGAIN TATHGINREVO RUOYKOOB ⓇARAGAIN EROLPXE# REVOCSIDER SLLAFARAGAIN the situation as a "crisis" that has been growing for at least 20 years. Small group homes are among the most common settings currently meeting the need for some. But Lino Fera -- who founded the Halton-based Cribwolf Foundation with IT execu- tive Matt George to address the growing issue -- said more has to be done now to prepare for the "tsunami" of individuals with IDD who will be seeking sup- portive housing as their parents, often their prima- ry 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 take on that (caregiver) role. If that gets taken away, what hap- pens?" 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 been on the provincial wait-list for more than 20 years. In response to the crisis, the Cribwolf Foundation has put forth a multi-unit residential community (MURC) model as the fu- ture of supportive housing in Halton and beyond. The Cribwolf MURC would offer mixed tenancy for adults over age 21 with IDD, who would live along- 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 support. "The MURC housing model entails the construc- tion of a much-needed new- er housing concept, such as multiple floors of one-, two- and three-bedroom apart- ment-style units," explains the Cribwolf website, which notes there would be some units for respite use, and space for recreation and community activities. "This housing model of choice will ensure a safe, secure, and inclusive envi- ronment in which all resi- dents can experience inde- pendence, social inclusion, personal growth, and re- ceive their daily supports as needed." Cribwolf has been work- ing to raise awareness about the issue in the com- munity and is looking to se- cure its charitable status in the near future, which will enable the foundation to access the institutional and public donations need- ed to fund large-scale MURC projects. "When we build, there's going to be a lineup. It's like Field of Dreams -- they will come," said Fera. "What gets me out of bed every morning is knowing that once we build this, we can replicate it." Halton parent Kimberly Wentrot said she believes the MURC vision would work to help those like her son Jacob. The 14-year-old has Down syndrome, is non- verbal and fed by a gastron- omy tube, with Wentrot working part-time to en- sure she can be there to meet Jacob's needs. She emphasized that more government action is also required to collective- ly address the supportive housing need and shortage of trained professionals re- quired for some individu- als with IDD, like personal support workers and nurs- ing staff. "It's not only housing that's a problem, it's the whole health-care system. It's just so complex," she said. "We need federal and provincial government funding." At a time when support- ive housing options are limited, Lisa Canning says she sees models like Crib- wolf's as a "stepping-stone" that could be replicated to meet the need across the region. "Numerous individuals, in north Halton especially, have to leave the communi- ty they've been part of for most of their lives to relo- cate to somewhere unfa- miliar (for supportive housing). This change could cause anxiety and stress," said the mother of four, two of whom will need supportive housing in the future. The call for further sup- port from the upper levels of government is also ech- oed by the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC), which has member organizations across the province dedicated to the supportive housing cause, including Cribwolf. The consortium is urg- ing the provincial govern- ment to earmark 10 per cent of the National Hous- ing Strategy funding it re- ceives to create accommo- dations for individuals with IDD. Late last year, the pro- vincial government an- nounced $13 million in funding over three years to help connect people with developmental disabilities with accessible and afford- able housing in their re- spective communities. The province also re- cently released its Journey to Belonging: Choice and Inclusion plan that looks to reform the developmental services system in Ontario 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 thinking, what if I don't wake up to- morrow?" said Fera. "The 'what if' is always on our minds." For further details, visit cribwolf-foundation.org. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the need for affordable supportive housing options growing, we wanted to take a closer look at the situation and how organizations like the Cribwolf Foundation plan to address the issue. NEWS CRIBWOLF MODEL A 'STEPPING STONE,' SAYS PARENT Continued from front Cribwolf Foundation founders Lino Fera (left) and Matt George (right) meet House of Commons speaker Anthony Rota at a housing meeting in Ottawa. Cribwolf Foundation photo