Canopy Support Services Receives Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant to Address Housing
Canopy Support Services Receives Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed
Grant to Address Housing Instability Among Individuals with Intellectual &
Developmental Disabilities.
Canopy Support Services is honored to be one of the recipients of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) Seed Grant, which will help address the growing issue of housing instability among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This funding will support a pilot project to hire a housing support worker, a critical resource that will empower Canopy to better serve our community members across multiple programs. The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Ontario government that works to build vibrant, healthy communities across the province. With a focus on creating lasting positive change, OTF’s Seed Grant program is designed to support innovative projects that help address urgent local needs. Canopy is proud to be part of this mission, particularly in response to the increasing number of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities experiencing homelessness.
Addressing an Ongoing Crisis
Over the last few years, Canopy has identified a rising crisis in homelessness among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, yet this issue has received limited attention and resources at the local level. Many individuals with IDD are at risk of homelessness or are already experiencing it, yet face multiple barriers that make it nearly impossible for them to access stable housing. The complexity of their needs spans across various sectors—including healthcare, social services, and housing—but these sectors often operate independently, leading to fragmentation and confusion.(1) For individuals with IDD, navigating these systems can be daunting, and many housing workers lack the expertise or resources to adequately support them.
Research shows that intellectual disabilities are disproportionately represented in homeless populations. While the general population sees intellectual disabilities in 1% to 3% of individuals, studies suggest that 12% to 34% of homeless individuals may have an intellectual disability.(2) Since its launch in July 2022, Canopy's Adult Urgent Response Program has received approximately 34% of referrals related to homelessness. This includes individuals sleeping rough, those provisionally accommodated, or at risk of homelessness, which is a key factor driving people to seek support.
This housing support worker will play a pivotal role in meeting the needs of these vulnerable individuals. By providing comprehensive housing support, Canopy will empower individuals with IDD to build stability and resilience in their lives. We anticipate that by improving housing access and providing education in independent living, we can prevent the escalation of complexity in individuals’ situations and ensure better outcomes for all. As homelessness in Peterborough continues to be a community concern, the need for services like the housing support worker has never been more urgent. With the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Canopy is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them secure stable housing, maintain independence, and build stronger community connections.
Looking Ahead
This pilot project represents an essential first step in addressing a long-overlooked need in Peterborough and the surrounding area. With the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s support, Canopy is poised to create lasting change that will not only assist our clients today but also pave the way for broader systemic improvements and community collaborations in the future. We are excited about the opportunity to expand our services and provide more comprehensive support to those who need it most.
Canopy is deeply grateful for the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s trust and investment in this vital project, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community.
1 Lamanna D, Lunsky Y, Wen S, Dubois D, Stergiopoulos V. Supporting Efforts by Intellectually Disabled Adults to Exit Homelessness: Key Ingredients of a Cross-Sector Partnership. Psychiatr Serv. 2020 Jan 1;71(1):96-99. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201800590. Epub 2019 Oct 16.
2 Ibid.