In this episode Tory visits with Maria Moniz and Michael Ciganovic at home in Hamilton to see what accessible rental housing can look like for Spinal Cord Injury Ontario clients. Michael is 45 years old and a lifelong Hamilton resident. He sustained a spinal cord injury in 2019 after complications from surgery. Prior to his injury Michael worked as a welder.
At the time of his injury, Michael and Maria were living in a small, one-bedroom apartment. They discovered on his first home visit from rehab it was going to be a no-go. The “must-haves” for their partially accessible rental home included wider entryways and a porch lift. The rent was initially $1850 per month.
In the five years they have lived there Michael’s accessibility needs have changed. Now an accessible bathroom and kitchen are also on the must-have list. Also, the rent has gone up from $1850 to $2200. There is a long wait for subsidized accessible housing in Hamilton, and Michael and Maria are afraid they will be “renovicted” from their current home before they get to the top of the Access to Housing list. Finding affordable accessible housing in Hamilton has so far been impossible.
One of the biggest barriers facing people with disabilities is finding accessible and affordable supportive housing solutions that meet their individual needs. If you’re looking for housing you can reach out to community agencies and housing help centers here for more information on subsidized housing opportunities in Ontario: https://services.settlement.org/en/
The lack of accessible housing is a critical aspect of the housing crisis, especially for individuals with disabilities. SCIO recognizes the urgency and is committed to advocating for affordable housing for disabled individuals across Canada. By partnering with like-minded organizations and raising awareness SCIO aims to find viable solutions to the challenges faced by those seeking accessible housing. Learn more about our strategy here: https://sciontario.org/our-initiatives/housing/
To access support from Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, visit https://sciontario.org/services/
Please call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical care.
