For Kevin McShan, financial independence is something he strives for. But as an Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipient, it remains out of reach.
“I’m still on ODSP and I only get about $900 a month to live on,” McShan said.
“That’s not a lot of money. It restricts what I’m able to do financially. It certainly has an everyday impact.”
Like thousands of others in Windsor-Essex, McShan is trapped in a system that hasn’t kept pace with the rising cost of living.
A new report warns that ODSP recipients are being priced out of the housing market, forced into unstable living situations, and increasingly at risk of homelessness.
The report, “Income Inequality and the Housing Crisis in Windsor-Essex County,” was authored by Community Policy Solutions in collaboration with five local agencies, including Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario (ALSO).
It highlights how ODSP rates, stagnant for years, are making it nearly impossible for recipients to secure accessible and affordable housing.
“You have to budget every dollar and only cover the bare necessities because of how little ODSP provides,” McShan said.
A system falling behind
According to the report, Windsor-Essex is among the most unequal regions in Canada in terms of income distribution. The widening gap between incomes and housing costs has hit people with disabilities especially hard.
While ODSP is meant to provide financial assistance, the amount is disconnected from Windsor’s rental market, where one-bedroom apartments often cost more than $2,000 per month.
The report also points to developer reluctance as a key barrier, noting that accessible housing units cost six to 12 per cent more to build than standard units.
That additional cost discourages developers, further limiting housing options for people with disabilities. The issue is even more challenging for couples.
Leigh Vachon, executive director of ALSO, said that while an individual’s ODSP payments max out at $1,368 per month, a couple on ODSP receives $2,305 combined, about $400 less than if they filed an application independently.
“The housing market and ODSP payments are running completely separate from each other,” Vachon said.
“We’re hearing about one-bedroom apartments going for $2,000 or more. People on ODSP are putting nearly all their income toward housing.”
No way out
For McShan, low ODSP rates mean staying at home with his parents and grandmother instead of living independently.
“For me, it’s about greater independence, building personal identity, a sense of dignity,” the 36-year-old said.
“Right now, I have to rely on my family unit so much from a financial perspective.”
Even those who find accessible housing often remain stuck. Vachon said ALSO has had to turn away ODSP recipients from accessible units because they can’t afford the rent once a previous tenant moves out.
“We can’t move people off our waitlist because the market rate jumps so high when a unit becomes available,” she said.
The financial strain is also pushing more people with disabilities into homelessness.
ALSO’s crisis intake workers now receive 10 to 20 calls a week related to housing, many from seniors struggling to find accessible spaces.
“You don’t typically see people in wheelchairs or with assistive devices living rough on the streets,” Vachon said.
“But I think you’re going to start seeing that more and more.”
Calls for reform
McShan and Vachon both agree that ODSP needs reform, particularly when it comes to income flexibility.
“The government has to come up with a model that allows people to work and supplement their income, without losing their benefits,” McShan said.
To supplement his income, McShan has taken on public speaking engagements, sharing his experiences as a person with a disability navigating systemic barriers.
But ODSP’s income limits prevent him from taking on too many, making it impossible to earn enough to loosen his tight daily budget.
“Right now, there’s a cap on how much money you can make and still stay on ODSP,” he said. “That needs to change.”
Vachon added that fixing the crisis will require a combination of solutions: Raising ODSP rates, increasing subsidies, and ensuring accessible housing is more affordable.
“We’re institutionalizing people at a rapid rate because we don’t have the right fit of housing,” she said.
“That’s not the right thing to do for our fellow community members.”
For McShan, the fight continues — not just for himself, but for others struggling under a system that has failed to keep up with the cost of living.
“It’s about creating a greater sense of independence,” he said.
“People with disabilities deserve to live a meaningful and self-sustaining life.”
The full report is available to view here.
