Human Resources committee  I would concur with Mr. Gladstone that assistive devices are expensive and that there are additional limitations around transportation. You're not going to those big-box stores out in the suburbs to get those low-cost items. The provision of food is expensive. It's hard to come

Human Resources committee  Again, very pragmatically, we want to expedite this measure and see that it happens quickly. If there's a way in the regulations to work with the provinces to extend provincial disability programs, it might be the quickest way to implement this. However, there are some challenge

Human Resources committee  Let me just humanize this conversation with a conversation from yesterday with my friend. He realizes that this month he wasn't able to pay insurance on his car that he needs to use to get to work, which he's currently on a leave from. He recognizes that having his car parked on

Human Resources committee  That is correct. It's incredibly difficult, even with the current programs that exist, because the ability of individuals to purchase their housing is so very low. Even with those capital support programs, currently it's nearly impossible to create deeply affordable housing in th

Human Resources committee  I think that's for another committee, perhaps, but what I will say is that this benefit, if implemented, would work hand in hand with the national housing strategy and actually make that strategy much more effective. For those like the community living folks you mentioned, the

Human Resources committee  Absolutely.

Human Resources committee  Absolutely.

Human Resources committee  Let me tell you this: We created 330 deeply affordable units this year. If this benefit comes into being, we can up that by at least double, and in subsequent years maybe even triple it, because the sustainability will work.

Human Resources committee  Yes. Thank you for that question. The need is tremendous. It's similar to the number of folks who are living in poverty due to a disability. It comes as no shocker that when people have only a little over $500 to purchase housing that costs $1,500, it leads to homelessness. I c

Human Resources committee  We're moving into an area that's not necessarily my area of expertise, but I'll just say that from my perspective, it seems that putting it in the bill legislates these details and ensures the minimum standards and such; however, if that were to slow down the process, then it's a

Human Resources committee  I think it is important that we clarify the minimum amount. That's going to really impact the potential benefits of this program. I would concur with Mr. Gladstone's testimony relating to the urgency and the timelines required. If an amendment could be made to improve the timel

Human Resources committee  Thank you for that clarifying question. As I mentioned, in our geography—the area of southwestern Ontario—that gap on the housing piece alone is about $1,000 currently. The biggest factor that forces people into homelessness is that they can't pay for their housing. I suggest

Human Resources committee  Yes. Thank you, MP Collins. It is actually dire. As I mentioned, our organization is focused on the approximately seven million people who live south and southwest of Toronto in that area from Mississauga all the way down to Chatham. Across that region, a windowless basement ap

Human Resources committee  This is a daily story for us. Literally, in any given year, we have thousands of folks calling us in desperate situations. In our case, our primary area of expertise, when it comes to supports, is with those experiencing mental illness and addictions. The impact of struggling wi

Human Resources committee  It's essential that this benefit be in addition to what folks are currently receiving as income, whether that be from the province or other subsidy programs. If there's a clawback, it goes against the very intent of helping people have more income in order to purchase the basic n