Launch
of 'Failing the Homeless' report
on Barriers to ODSP Access: June 20th
Street
Health -
Release
June 14, 2006
Ontario disability benefits are failing homeless people with disabilities. The Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) is intended to assist low-income people with disabilities, but many disabled homeless people are unable to access this program.
Over the past year and a half Street Health, a community-based health care organization working with homeless and underhoused people in downtown Toronto, has been working on a research project exploring the barriers to accessing ODSP for our clients, while at the same time helping them to secure benefits.
We are excited to announce that we will be launching our research report on Tuesday, June 20th at 12:30 pm at Regent Park Community Health Centre in Toronto.
The report, entitled: “Failing the Homeless: Barriers in the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for Homeless People with Disabilities”, identifies key barriers and delays in the ODSP system for homeless people. It also makes recommendations for how to improve access to ODSP benefits for homeless people with disabilities.
Among the many important project findings and outcomes, these are some of the most staggering:
- 100% of study participants
were eligible for the ODSP, but 0% were receiving benefits when they
enrolled in the project
- 100% of eligible
participants needed help accessing ODSP benefits
- 100% of homeless participants who successfully secured ODSP benefits were able to secure housing
Please join us on June 20th to hear more about the project’s findings, outcomes and recommended solutions for increasing ODSP access:
Tuesday, June 20th at 12:30pm
Regent Park Community Health Centre (main lobby)
465 Dundas Street East, Toronto ON (south-east corner of Dundas East and Parliament)
Following June 20th, the Summary and Full reports will be available on our website at: www.streethealth.ca.
For additional information about the launch or the report please contact Erika Khandor at erika@streethealth.ca.
We look forward to seeing you on June 20th!
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