THE RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH

Hi Everyone!!

So I got sick with that flu that’s going around! My sister has taken the liberty of writing a “Guest blog” post. Thank-you Desiree (My sister). I know  this is not a good sign that I have only written two post and already I am finding other people to write for me. However, it was a great topic! Des and I were discussing finding housing as someone with a disability. We both thought it would make a great topic of blog conversation. A quick biography of my sister: Desiree is my twin we both use wheelchairs and live in Toronto (but on different sides of the city). Des has a bachelor’s degree and a diploma n Human Resource Management. We are friends :-)  

Housing is pretty much a problem for all wheelchair uses or really anyone with some sort of accessibly need.  Unfortunately I can only speak for my experience in Ontario. Most of my experience in finding housing has been in Toronto, In Ontario and for sure in Toronto there is a shortage of affordable housing in general. The waiting list for financially subsidized housing in Toronto is about 8years and that is if you don’t need a wheelchair accessible apartment. .  I was lucky when I initially moved out because I was leaving to go to school out of town. This was good because I just lived in the wheelchair accessible residence of my university and then again at college. However, when I graduated I quickly became aware that, the task of finding a place to live would be a challenge.

I did know that if you bought a condo or house that was currently being built or going to be built you could request it be wheelchair accessible, basically making it how you like it . I know people who have done  this and its AWSOME! One of my life’s goal is to have a home built to my liking. However, currently I cannot afford to buy property. Further, many people not just people with disabilities are not in a position to purchase a home or condo. Many people rent or share accommodations with roommates.   When I moved out of my school’s residence; I contacted the Independent Living Center of Toronto (CILT).  CILT, was also able to give me information about how to apply for financially subsidized housing. They also had a data base of people who were looking to sell or rent wheelchair accessible spaces (apartments, condos, houses).  I found an apartment at a co-op.  Co-ops are a great thing to look into if you need to move and don’t have a lot of money.  

Co-ops are cooperative housing, so everyone who lives in the co-op helps out.  The tenants own the building and maintain it because, everyone in the building helps out the rent is usually slightly lower than market rent. As well sometimes co-ops have subsidizes or grants you can apply for to reduce the cost of your rent.  Co-op also value having a diverse community of people. Therefore, they usually have accessible units that often go unfilled because the co-op can’t find anyone who is disabled.  As I said before Co-ops are good because they are all about community so quite often they will know of services that may be useful, or you may have neighbours who are willing to help you out.  For example: when I moved into my co-op I got information about a local out reach organization and several other community supports. Further, because the building is more community based and there are tenants meetings, social etc.. it is easier to meet people.

Eventually, I did end up applying for financially subsidized housing. Toronto’s process is fairly easy. You do it on line and then mail in a photo copy of your ID and proof of citizenship or residency. You can also go to the “Housing Connect” office and someone there can help you fill out the application. I was lucky enough to get a really nice apartment in about 3 months. I did ask the lady who phoned me to let me know of my apartment why it was so fast. She told me they are working on building more accessible houing so that was why. 

I really like my apartment. It is exactly where I want to live, it is down town and near a lot of useful stores and by a subway witch is handy. I don’t drive and the door to door transit program in Toronto for persons with disabilities requires 24hours notice. You have probably noticed throughout the blog I have used the word “lucky”, that’s exactly what I am lucky. I have basically won the lottery of affordable accessible housing. One of the reasons for this is I “just” require accessible space and can afford to pay someone to help me with the things I have difficulty doing (Cleaning and sometimes laundry). There are many other people with disabilities who require assisted living support to live on their own. The waiting list for those apartments is super long. I can’t really speak to that but, Toronto has a really good transitional program for people who think they may want to move out on their own . I don’t know much about it but I will post a link at the end.

  I know many people who are not in good living situations. Lots of my friends who have disabilities still live at home with their parents BLAH (no offense,  Mom I love you) . There are a number of issues with accessible housing. Sam could likely to speak to the systemic issues of this. It really seems as though accessible housing is a bit of a treasure hunt and options can be limited.  It is my hope that sharing my experience and some resources can perhaps make it less difficult for others.

Thanks

Des

Des’ Housing Resource List

Centre For Independent Living Toronto: http://www.cilt.ca/default.aspx

     365 Bloor Street East, Suite 902, Toronto, Ontario  M4W 3L4

Phone: (416) 599-2458
Direct Funding Hotline: 1-800-354-9950
Fax: (416) 599-3555
TTY: (416) 599-5077

email: cilt@cilt.ca
website:www.cilt.ca

This a great starting point for gaining my resources and perspectives on living independently.

Co-op Housing Foundation: http://www.coophousing.com/

This is a good website to find contacts for local co-ops that maybe looking for people to rent accessible spaces. They may also be a more affordable housing option

Toronto Community Housing: http://www.torontohousing.ca/

This is the website that you would contact if you were looking for financially subsidized housing in general or that is also accessible. People are also able to live in Community Housing if they are not looking for subsidized rent they, also have access to accessible spaces at market rent.

The Gage Transitional Program: http://www.westpark.org/Services/GTIL.aspx

This is the transitional program that supports people with disabilities to coordinate support to live on their own.

The Independence Program: http://www.hollandbloorview.ca/resourcecentre/growing_up/HB_programs.php
This is a great program for Teenagers who are thinking about moving out
A three-week residential program for youth 17–21 years who want to work on skills for independent living. This program is run out of Ryerson University Student Residence in downtown Toronto.
Contact
kgalley@hollandbloorview.ca

Jeff Kerr, Accessible Home Finder: http://www.accessiblehomefinder.com/jeffrey-kerr.php

This is a fantastic resource for people looking to buy an accessible home or condo. Sam has met with Jeff a couple of times to discuss home ownership. She will likely buy with him when she finally can afford a down payment.

I Just Want to Go Out: Thinking About Accesss and Social Attitudes

Hello,

Given the fact that the idea of the blog is an East and West perspective; I thought it might be interesting to do a post occasionally on some of the resources I have found useful as disabled 20 something (well at least for a few more months).  I am in Toronto right now. I am blown away at how difficult it is to find accessible places to eat, and drink.  I find this interesting and frustrating all at the same time.

I find a lack of accessible social space really interesting on two levels:

#1

I question what happens to the social position of disability (what people think of disability) when spaces or activities we commonly use for social gatherings (dates, parties, etc) are inaccessible?   I colleague of mine once commented: “we can build ramps and put in elevators but, we can’t legislate attitudes”. I thought this was an interesting comment. I understand that there is no way to control one’s opinion. However, I often think the connection between what seems like common ignorance and a lack of access are linked. For example: I often meet people whom are surprised to see me out at a pub or night club. This is often denoted by the greeting “it’s so good to see you out” and some sort of gesture to my wheelchair. This is ignorant! This comment irritates me beyond belief.  If you think about it in a broader context though “it is good to see me out”. Many (Not all) of the pubs and clubs in Toronto are inaccessible, or are accessible but, the bathroom is down stairs.  So Yes it is good to see me out because it is likely I have had to traverse a  set of stairs, or refrain from using the bathroom just for the opportunity to attend that social space. It is because of this lack of physical access that I think the amount of visibly  disabled patrons is low. I question how this affects social attitudes. If one is never seen, the assumption or “story” that emerges is that, that population just does not exist or would rather not attend the particular space. We can think about this for other marginalized groups. Think of  when leaders of organizations or communities announce that there are no people in their community who identify as LGBTQ? People only become visible when you create space both socially and literally for them.  If the spaces that are commonly used for social gatherings and social events: where we meet people, where we go on dates, are inaccessible how do we imagine disabled people as part of the social fabric? Recently I went out with a young man who said he would choose the restaurant and call to see if it was accessible.  He struggled to find a place that was accessible. When we finally met up. He was exasperated at how difficult it was, and annoyed that after considerable effort we were still eating somewhere, where I could not pee. To paraphrase he asked “where do you eat?”, “Where do you go on dates?”. When we deny someone access to a common space we not only physically exclude them but, we exclude them from our social discourse. This breeds ignorance and confusion about how someone exists in the world. 

#2.

  I think it’s interesting that when we commonly talk about access we talk about the built environment. I know I have just spent considerable time reflecting on the built environment but, my point is that I think when we think about the built environment we must think about it in concert with other factors of access. Not only is the build environment an issue but, financial access to typical activities is an issue for disabled people. If we stay on the topic of a night out on the town. Accessible transportation is often more expensive, or more time consuming than typical forms of transportation. Disabled people often use their own personal resources to negotiate an inaccessible infrastructure. For example: maintaining a personal car despite living somewhere with a subway  (that is only partially accessible or not at all), or investing in a power or all terrain wheelchair to handle snowy conditions. All of this takes a toll on personal finances if it is even possible financially. Moreover often relatively inexpensive activities for able bodied people are often costly to adapt. For example many of my friends run. Most of them bought a pair of mid-price running shoes (about 100 bucks) and downloaded a “learn to run app”. on their phones. If I want to “run” I have to invest in a racing chair and seek out a club to teach me.  My point being that accessibility is multi-faceted and can be more than ramps. 

These are two of the reasons I find questions of access so fascinating. I think access aids in social imaging of disability. Moreover, I think it is more than just ramps. It speaks to the matrix  of  issues that disabled people negotiate.

I find the lack of access frustrating because, while it is interesting to theorize….

I JUST WANT TO GO OUT!!!

My solution: well not comprehensive is to head to the blogousphere (is that a word?) and check out “Tasting Toronto On Wheels”. I really like this blog.  The author Marlene Benedicto a journalist and food critic who uses a wheelchair, reviews Toronto hotspots for their food and access! Check it out: 

www.tastingtorontoonwheels.me

NB: Many of my ideas about social imagination, social postilion and notions of creating space are animated by the work of  Dr. Tanya Titchkosky. Much of it influenced by the book:

Titchkosky, T. (2007). Reading & writing Disability Differently: The Textured Life of

Embodiment. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.