Investing in Developmental Services for Ontario’s Future
PETROLIA, ON – January 12, 2026 – Ontario’s Developmental Services sector is at a tipping point. 53,000 people with developmental disabilties are waiting for housing or supportive services, and thousands more face inappropriate placements in hospitals, long-term care, and shelters. These realities create escalating pressures across health care, justice, and homelessness systems, while costing Ontario more in dollars and in human impact.
Propelled by the #Waitingtobelong campaign, LCDS is calling for two targeted investments that will deliver system-wide benefits:
- A 3% base funding increase in 2026–2027, followed by 2% annually to stabilize supportive housing, day programs, and employment supports.
- A plan to fully fund Passport allocations over five years, ensuring fairness and dignity for all eligible individuals.
These investments—$57 million for base funding and $112 million for Passport—are modest compared to the savings they deliver and the lives they will transform. Supporting a person in hospital costs Ontario $770 per day; Developmental Services agencies can provide better care for less than half that amount.
Why this matters: Over the past 30 years, base funding for Developmental Services has increased by only 7%, while the cost of living has soared nearly 70%. Agencies are being asked to do more with less, year after year. A 3% increase in 2026–2027, followed by 2% annually, is the minimum required to stabilize the sector and ensure families can continue to rely on us.
Behind every number is a person. Fully funding Passport means hundreds of additional support hours each year. Hours that translate into independence, friendships, and meaningful, inclusive community involvement. Families are carrying the bulk of responsibility, and they are breaking. Ontario cannot afford to wait.
Thousands of Ontarians with developmental disabilities are #WaitingToBelong. These investments are not just numbers, they are lifelines.
To learn more and sign the petition visit communitylivingontario.ca/waiting-to-belong/
