WHEREAS the provincial government is cutting funding and supports for adults with development disabilities, resulting in the closure of group homes and mounting waiting lists for services; AND WHEREAS these groups form a vital and necessary part of the housing continuum that has won broad support from members of the public at large, families of adults with developmental disabilities and the communities in which they are located; AND WHEREAS the Parent Support Group for Families of Mentally Handicapped Adults Society have approached the City of Vancouver seeking assistance to create new supportive housing options to provide homes for parents and their adult children with developmental disabilities; AND WHEREAS the forced relocation of adults with developmental disabilities, against their will and without the support of their families, is causing severe emotional hardship to many families and growing vulnerability in the community, jeopardizing health and safety and increasing the risk of illness or homelessness; AND WHEREAS the BC Community Living Action Group, which represents more than 65 affected agencies and organizations thousands of families, and adults with developmental disabilities, has called for an end to service cuts and the closure of group homes: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM urge the provincial government to end funding cuts, implement a moratorium on the closure of group homes and provide sufficient financial resources both to maintain this vital housing resource and address growing waitlists.
