Unlicensed group homes put the safety of already vulnerable residents at risk and the province needs to act, critics said Wednesday amid news one was shut down after a blaze broke out.

“It’s a miracle no one was hurt, because Toronto Fire Services said that the unlicensed home failed numerous fire code inspections,” said NDP MPP Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West).

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said it is usually left to municipalities or fire departments “to bring some regulation to these places — the government needs to step up” and build more supportive housing as well as provide “mental health and addictions supports to people who need it.

“So all of these things then leave people desperate for a place to live with the supports they need to be able to function … after 14 years (of Liberal governments) we still have this form of housing, that is really not safe and in many ways a bit exploitative of the people who live there.”

At the legislature, Premier Kathleen Wynne called the situation “a tragedy that needs to be addressed.”

“We will certainly look into the specifics of this situation,” she said. “The reality is that there are people who are living — in situations … where the regulation of their living situation is not always as clear as it should be. This is something that we are tackling. It’s something that we know needs more work, and we will continue to work with the municipality to make sure that the proper rules and the supports are in place.”

The Scarborough home, at 108 Fawcett Trail, was among a group of unlicensed facilities investigated by the Ontario Provincial Police last year, which found “deplorable” and unsafe living conditions. However, the decision was made to keep the homes open because the residents had nowhere else to go.

Under the Long-Term Homes Care Act, nursing home care cannot be provided in a residential home to two or more people without a licence.

However, the OPP probe found that patients were being discharged from hospital to such unlicensed homes because they were the only option for some, typically the elderly or those suffering mental health issues.

The Fawcett Trail home had been ordered, in prior inspections, to boost fire safety systems and Toronto’s deputy fire chief said more charges are to be laid.

Six people who live at the home, who are elderly or suffering from mental health issues, were able to flee the home during the fire and were not injured, reports the Star’s Betsy Powell.

“This is another example of the need for both governments to work together to find a solution that protects our residents. Right now, there is no solution – the province ends up unable to close these unlicensed group homes and the city is left dealing with bylaw enforcement and health and safety issues. We both owe more to the people who live in these buildings and their families,” said Toronto Mayor John Tory.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

The home is part of a chain and the operator told the Star the fire was caused not by safety issues but because a resident stuffed newspapers into a heating vent.

Health Minister Eric Hoskins said the issue involves a number of ministries as well as municipalities and “it’s a very serious problem and I know that the various ministries involved will be getting together to look at it in more detail as to how to approach it.”

Read more about: