Community Living BC (CLBC) is pleased with the commitment made to people with developmental disabilities and their families in the B.C. government’s 2023 budget. Budget 2023 will allow CLBC to maintain existing services, provide new services for transitioning youth, and increase core individual and family supports.
CLBC will have a budget of $1.45 billion in 2023/24 to serve 28,000 eligible individuals.
Budget 2023 includes $3.1 million for CLBC to increase core individual and family support funding. This is standard minimum funding available to individuals and families that can be used flexibly for wellness supports (formerly called respite) or contracted services. This funding is increasing from $300 per month to $350 per month (or $3,600 per year to $4,200 per year). This increase will begin April 1, 2023.
“People get more funding through Budget 2023 for supports, like skills training, wellness programs or towards community inclusion,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
The provincial budget also includes an increase in funding to the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to increase the maximum shelter rate of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) income assistance from $375 per month to $500 per month effective July 19, 2023.
“I am grateful for this measure,” said CLBC CEO Ross Chilton. “It is an important response to the increased housing costs faced by individuals living independently, in a home sharing arrangement, or in a staffed home.”
The increase in the shelter rate will also help home sharing providers and agencies who operate staffed homes to meet increased housing costs. CLBC supported individuals who live in home sharing or staffed homes contribute their PWD shelter funding to these service providers. CLBC will adjust individual financial contributions with service providers and home sharing providers to include the increased shelter rate funding when it takes effect in July.
Every year, along with the Provincial Budget, CLBC posts its service plan outlining its goals and strategies for the year ahead. You can read CLBC’s new Service Plan here.
This is on Community Living British Columbia website go to the link here
