Institutionalization - Monitoring the right to housing for people with disabilities

Institutionalization

Are people with disabilities forced to live in institutions?

Institutions include places like group homes, hospitals, long-term care homes, and prisons. People living in institutions don't have control over their own lives. They often don't get to choose who they live with, what activities they do, or what they eat.

Outcome indicators

  1. Number of people living in large institutions for people with disabilities
    • Description: This looks at people who live in institutions for people with disabilities that have 100 or more residents.
    • Results: Not available. This data is not currently collected through national or provincial / territorial surveys. We are advocating for better data collection and transparency in this area.
  2. Number of people with disabilities under age 55 in long-term care
    • Description: This looks at people under age 55 who live in long-term care homes. These homes are often called “nursing homes” or “seniors’ homes”. They provide full-time health care, nursing and supervision. Their residents are mostly seniors (people aged 65 and older).
    • Results: Thousands of people with disabilities under age 55 live in long-term care. In 2016, 7405 people under age 55 lived in nursing homes and/or seniors’ homes. In 2021, the number was 7590.

      • Data source: Census of Population (2016 and 2021): Collective Dwellings

        *These numbers are a point-in-time count. They represent the number of residents in these homes on the day of the Census. Residents who are younger than 55 are likely to have disabilities since they need full-time health care, nursing and supervision.

  3. Number of people with disabilities in group homes and other group living situations
    • Description: This looks at people who live in group homes and other group living settings, including treatment centres. These residences provide health care and/or social services, like counselling, supervision and treatment.
    • Results: Tens of thousands of people with disabilities live in group homes. In 2016, 65 790 people lived in residential care facilities like group homes for people with disabilities and addictions. In 2021, the number was 61 710.

      • Data source: Census of Population (2016 and 2021): Collective Dwellings

        *These numbers are a point-in-time count. They represent the number of residents in these homes on the day of the Census.

  4. Percentage of people with disabilities in prisons and correctional facilities
    • Description: This looks at people in federal, provincial and territorial prisons, facilities for young offenders, jails and police lock ups.
    • Results: Not available. This data is not currently collected through national or provincial / territorial surveys. The Census includes data on people in correctional facilities, but it doesn’t identify how many of those people have disabilities. We are advocating for better data collection and transparency in this area.
  5. Percentage of people with disabilities in immigration detention centres and shelters for refugees and asylum seekers
    • Description: This looks at people detained in immigration holding centres, and people in shelters for refugees and asylum seekers.
    • Results: Not available. This data is not currently collected through national or provincial / territorial surveys. The Census includes data on people living in shelters for refugees and asylum seekers, but it doesn’t identify how many of those people have disabilities. We are advocating for better data collection and transparency in this area.
  6. Percentage of people with disabilities in homeless shelters
    • Description: This looks at people in homeless shelters.
    • Results: Not available. This data is not currently collected through national or provincial / territorial surveys. Housing Infrastructure and Communities Canada's National Shelter Study does not currently collect data on disability. This study is starting to start collecting data on disability in 2024. We are advocating for better data collection and transparency in this area.
  7. Number of people with disabilities detained in hospitals
    • Description: This looks at people who are forced to stay in and/or receive treatment in hospitals. For example, this includes people who are detained under mental health or guardianship laws. It also includes people who are detained in health care facilities through the criminal justice system.
    • Results: Not available. This data is not currently collected through national or provincial / territorial surveys. We are advocating for better data collection and transparency in this area.
  8. Percentage of people with disabilities in child welfare systems
    • Description: This looks at children receiving child welfare services aimed at protecting them from abuse and neglect. For example, this includes children in foster care.
    • Results: Not available. This data is not systematically collected through national surveys. Provinces and territories may report on the number of children in their child welfare systems, but they don't always identify whether these children have disabilities. They may not publish this information on a regular basis. We are advocating for better data collection and transparency in this area.
  9. Percentage of people with disabilities who are satisfied with their level of autonomy over their living arrangements
    • Description: This looks at whether people can choose where and with whom they live.
    • Results: Not available. This data is not currently collected through national or provincial / territorial surveys. Statistics Canada's Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) from 2006 had a question about people's autonomy in making decisions. The current Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD) does not address this issue. We are advocating for better data collection and transparency in this area.

Policy effort and resource indicators

In development

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