Susan Corkum-Greek, Minister of Opportunities and Social Development, answers questions from reporters at Province House on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentThe province is not meeting court-mandated expectations around housing standards for people with disabilities, according to an independent report released on Thursday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“Matters have now reached a state of rightful urgency,” Dr. Michael Prince, an expert hired to monitor the province’s progress, wrote in the report.Article contentArticle contentThe five-year deinstitutionalization plan was created after a 2021 Court of Appeal found that the province was systemically discriminating against people with disabilities through the management of the Disability Support Program and the lack of housing choices available.Article contentArticle contentThe remedy promised to ensure that no Nova Scotians are housed in large institutions by 2028 and to improve the support program.Article contentThree years in, there are currently 1,360 people with disabilities living in institutions. Prince reports the province is falling behind on the court-mandated requirements, and that there is a lack of transparency in its third-year report.Article contentIn its June report, the province reported that 16 of the 34 remedy requirements had been met. Prince assessed that only seven had been met to the set expectations, while only slight progress had been made on 19 other requirements.Article content“My overall assessment is the province has fallen behind and continues to be critically behind in complying with the remedy,” wrote Prince. “There are instances of exact compliance and significant progress on only some Remedy requirements. Over half the requirements for year three merely show slight progress.”Article contentPrince also reported multiple instances this year where the province failed to provide the documents and evidence to prove its progress. He wrote that transparency is necessary, not just for his work as an independent monitor, but also to provide important updates to involved groups, such as the Disability Rights Coalition, and members of the public that this concerns.Article contentArticle contentProvince is “far behind” in providing housingArticle contentIn last year’s report, Prince wrote the province was gaining traction and laying a foundation to complete the five-year plan on time. Now, he reports that the province is falling behind.Article content“At this stage of the remedy’s timeframe, too many items are incomplete, too many are not meeting the targets for compliance,” wrote Prince.Article contentOne such item is the homeshare program. The requirements laid out state that there must be 100 new homeshare options added this year for a total of 340.Article contentPrince reports that there are currently zero homeshare spaces.Article contentThe homeshare program was officially launched in January with the province doing outreach and marketing work. This summer, the province appointed 10 homeshare coordinating organizations with a promise to reach the year five goal, but Prince wrote he has not seen a detailed plan and questions what practical results will look like.Article contentHe “strongly recommends” that the province compile a detailed plan for the homeshare program, with milestones and timelines in place to reach the 2028 expectations.
Report says Nova Scotia far behind in providing adequate housing for people with disabilities
