By Guangke Dai, Communications Officer
Amira* arrived in Canada just months ago from Morocco, hopeful to begin a new life in a country known for its openness to newcomers. However, as a wheelchair user, her journey was immediately filled with obstacles, revealing the significant need for accessible housing and services for refugees with disabilities. Amira’s experience shows how deeply inadequate housing can impact individuals with accessibility needs, leaving them vulnerable and disconnected from critical resources.
Overcoming Accessibility Barriers Alone
From the start, Amira faced a relentless search for temporary shelter that could accommodate her mobility needs. Unfortunately, most facilities lacked even basic accessibility features, leaving her to navigate cramped, shared spaces that made it nearly impossible to move around safely in her wheelchair. Her specific health needs were often overlooked, amplifying her vulnerability.
At one shelter, she was placed in a shared room where she endured bullying and theft, losing essential documents and medications. Staff were unable to address her specific needs or protect her, leaving her feeling unsafe and isolated. This experience left Amira at a crossroads—struggling to find housing and resources that could meet her accessibility requirements while fearing for her well-being.
Finding a Path Forward with Accessible Housing
MOSAIC’s Refugee Settlement team became aware of Amira’s urgent situation and took on the challenge of securing suitable accommodations. The Housing Coordinator of the Refugee Settlement team described the urgency of the situation:
“Our whole team was searching for a hotel with wheelchair accessibility, but none could accommodate her needs. With the one we finally found, the accessibility issues persisted—the washroom was only minimally adapted for wheelchair use, underscoring the shortage of accessible temporary accommodations. Even the transitional houses for newcomers lacked availabilities suitable for an individual with accessibility needs. Imagine all this was happening while she was also navigating the complex refugee claim process, trying to survive the day to day due to the very many traumas she had endured back home, and living with the uncertainty as to if she could stay in Canada or would have to return into the unsafe, life-threatening situation back home.”
Eventually, after two months of precarious housing conditions, through consistent advocacy and networking, MOSAIC’s team found Amira a permanent place to live – a wheelchair-accessible apartment within a housing co-op, which gave her the stability and independence she needed.
Navigating Health and Mobility Challenges
Beyond housing, accessing essential healthcare was an ongoing struggle. Amira needed regular medication and emotional support, but the clinic’s weekly prescription policy meant frequent trips to the pharmacy, a significant burden without accessible transportation. “I was without medication for three weeks, and the pain was intense,” Amira recalled. A social worker eventually arranged for a longer prescription, but her experience highlights the need for healthcare policies that better accommodate the individual circumstances of newcomers with mobility challenges.
A Call to Action for Accessible Housing and Support Services
“It’s hard, physically and emotionally, for people in wheelchairs who can’t move freely and don’t have housing,” Amira shared. Her story emphasizes the need for systemic change to make Canada more accessible and supportive for newcomers with disabilities.
The housing crisis in BC, especially for refugees with accessibility needs, presents significant challenges. Here are a few ways you can make a positive impact:
- Advocate for Policy Changes: Speak up about the need for more accessible and affordable housing through your local municipalities or by supporting organizations that work in refugee and housing sectors. Public awareness can encourage policymakers to allocate resources to develop inclusive housing solutions.
- Advocate for Accessible Housing Development: If you’re involved in any local real estate discussions or know developers, encourage them to consider accessible features in new developments.
- Build a Community Network: Simple gestures, like introducing newcomers to local resources or community groups, can help reduce isolation.
- Consider Offering Housing: For those with extra space, consider offering a rental or hosting a refugee, particularly through reputable settlement organizations.
To try and bridge the gap in accessing safe and suitable housing, MOSAIC’s BC Refugee Claimant Housing Referral System (BC CHARMS) connects refugee claimants with housing across the province of BC. Working with over 13 settlement agencies and housing providers, BC CHARMS brings together those working on behalf of refugee claimants to provide them with the most effective and efficient housing referrals possible.
“Thank you is a very small word for the support I received from MOSAIC,” said Amira. “Without them, I would have been on the streets.” Her experience highlights the urgent need for accessible housing and resources to build an inclusive society where all, regardless of ability or background, have the opportunity to thrive.
*Name changed for privacy.
