Nova Scotia launches new program aimed at helping people living with disabilities

Nova Scotia has launched a new home share program for people living with disabilities.

A new program launched in Nova Scotia Tuesday aims to give people with disabilities more support in their day-to-day lives.

The new HomeShare Program will allow participants in the Nova Scotia Disability Support Program to live in a shared home and will match participants with a provider in their community. Local organizations will be responsible for screening the providers as well as facilitating matches and giving ongoing support to the providers and participants.

“HomeShare is a relationship-based model of support that allows for increased individualization and close connections in community, and produces high quality of life outcomes,” said Lora Church, executive director of Nova Scotia Community Living Organizations in a news release from the province.

“We are excited to be able to support organizations during this human rights transformation, but particularly in ways where we can increase choices for Nova Scotians with disabilities about where they live, who supports them and how they live their lives.”

Matches will be based on the individual needs, interests, routines and expectations of the participant as some can live independently while others may need more support, according to the release.

The province says providers can assist with tasks like preparing meals, getting to and from work, or keeping track of appointments.

The Nova Scotia Department of Opportunities and Social Development said as of Dec. 31, there were 588 people living in residential care or rehabilitation centres. That’s down from 870 at the start of the Human Rights Remedy was issued three-years-ago.

As part of the Human Rights Remedy, there is five-year legally binding agreement that will see the province close all of these large residential care institutions by March 31st, 2028, and help people who institutionalized to find living options of their choice in the community, like the HomeShare program.

With files from CTV’s Jesse Thomas.

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