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Plan early, keep options open
Start with the pathway that protects future choices, then compare the support, funding, and housing model that fits your family.
General information only, not a diagnosis, treatment plan, crisis service, or individual estimate. Confirm your next step with the linked source or a qualified professional.
In brief
Adults on 20-year housing waitlists are the grown children of Ontario's autism funding crisis. Early intervention reduces the level of adult support needed, and Ontario has been failing to provide it for years.
There is no "one size fits all". Options range from 24/7 care to occasional drop-in support.
Staffed homes (24/7 support) for 3-6 residents.
Best for individuals with high support needs. Funding typically covers rent, food, and support staff.
Individuals live in their own apartment/home with visiting support staff.
Staff visit for specific hours to help with cooking, cleaning, banking, etc. Requires some independence.
Living with a vetted family (not your own) who provides support.
Similar to foster care for adults. Also known as "Family Home Program".
Cluster of apartments or homes with shared potential supports.
Often created by family groups. Models vary widely (e.g., condo model with shared support worker).
Thousands of adults with developmental disabilities in Ontario are on the waitlist for residential services. The auditor general has repeatedly flagged this as a crisis.
The scale of future demand is significant: 91,974 children are currently registered in the Ontario Autism Program, with 77.5% waiting for core clinical services (MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026). Many of these children will eventually need supported housing as adults. The current system cannot absorb this demand.
Important Strategy: Even if you plan to create a private solution, REGISTER FOR DSO ADULT HOUSING immediately at age 18. This establishes your place in line for future funding or vacancies, which may become critical as parents age.
Understanding the gap between available services and actual demand is critical for planning.
Piecing together the financial puzzle is essential.
The primary gateway. Assesses eligibility for MCCSS-funded residential supports (Group Living, SIL).
Portion of ODSP monthly payment designated for rent/mortgage.
Can pay for support workers to come into the home, but CANNOT pay for rent or groceries.
Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit. Portable housing benefit to help with rental costs.
Decide whether your child needs 24/7 supervision or can manage safety alone. This dictates the model needed.
Every skill learned (cooking, laundry, transit) increases housing options and reduces support costs.
Connect with other families. Pooling resources (e.g., renting a house together and sharing support staff costs) is a common strategy.
Apply for eligibility at 16. Confirm housing requests at 18. Keep your file active and updated annually.
Options range from 24/7 care to occasional drop-in support: Group Living Residences (staffed homes for 3-6 residents with 24/7 support), Supported Independent Living (SIL, where individuals live in their own apartment with visiting support staff), Host Family Program (living with a vetted family, similar to foster care for adults), and Intentional Communities (a cluster of apartments or homes with shared supports, often created by family groups).
Waitlists for Ministry-funded group homes can exceed 20 years in some regions. Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) is the mandatory starting point for all funded housing, and it has high waitlists for group living and supported independent living.
ODSP provides a Shelter Allowance, a portion of the monthly payment designated for rent or mortgage, with a maximum of approximately $599 in monthly shelter support for a single person (2025-26 rate; confirm current rates with ODSP), supplemented by board or lodging in some cases. This does not reflect actual rental market costs in most of Ontario.
No. Passport Funding can pay for support workers to come into the home, but it cannot pay for rent or groceries. Annual amounts have been up to approximately $44,275 depending on assessed need (provincial maximum, subject to annual review).
Register for DSO adult housing immediately at age 18, even if you plan to create a private housing solution. This establishes your place in line for future funding or vacancies, which may become critical as parents age.
Take Action
Ontario families assembled this evidence from the government’s own records. Put it to work.
Can autistic students get an educational assistant (EA)?
VerifiedSchools may assign EAs based on IEP needs, but 47% of families report insufficient supports. EA availability varies by board and often fails to match clinical needs, leaving many autistic students without necessary classroom support.
Source: Ontario Education Act & OAC · Open source record
What are the out-of-pocket costs for autism therapy?
VerifiedPrivate ABA therapy costs $100-$150/hour (BCBA supervised). Intensive programs of 20+ hours/week can cost up to $95,000 USD/year (2020 US cost estimate cited in FAO 2020 report; Canadian costs vary). Speech and OT cost $120-$160/hour. These costs are often prohibitive while families wait 5+ years for OAP funding.
Source: Ontario Provider Fee Schedules; FAO 2020 Report
Where does End The Wait Ontario get its data?
VerifiedEnd The Wait Ontario cites primary sources: Financial Accountability Office (FAO) spending reviews, WHO autism guidelines, Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) policies, and Ontario Autism Coalition (OAC) community surveys. [ETWO] Statistics link to original sources so families and media can verify claims independently.
Source: End The Wait Ontario [ETWO] · Open source record
Sources on this page
Key claims are paired with their source, evidence tier, and verification date so readers can inspect the public record directly.
91,974
children are registered in the Ontario Autism Program
US$2.4M
Lifetime support costs for autism with co-occurring intellectual disability can reach US$2.4 million per person (Buescher et al.)
1 in 50
According to the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth, about 1 in 50 children and youth aged 1 to 17 in Canada had an autism diagnosis
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Founder & Autism Advocate