Closing doors of group homes shock, horrify families families

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Closing doors of group homes shock, horrify families



Despite public statements to the contrary, the B.C. Liberal government continues to force people with developmental disabilities from group homes against their families’ wishes.

Two more homes face closure in Langley and Richmond amid intense opposition from parents and other relatives.

The families say they are shocked by the behaviour of the government agency Community Living B.C., which provides services to the developmentally disabled and has repeatedly denied forcing people from homes to save money. CLBC says such moves are done to better meet the needs of the disabled and only when people and families are ready.

But Connie and Ken Greenway, like families in other communities, say they were given little warning and no say in the decision to shut the Langley home where their 46-year-old developmentally disabled son, Darrin, has lived for 15 years.

“We are absolutely shocked at how fast this has taken place [within a matter of a few weeks] and at no time were we consulted before the decision was made,” the Greenways wrote in an email to Premier Christy Clark, who ran for the B.C. Liberal leadership promising to put “families first.”

“The residents do not have a choice,” the Greenways said. “Darrin’s service providers’ contracts are terminated, forcing residents to move. This is against Darrin’s wishes and our wishes as his family.”

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Lynette Pollard-Elgert, 65, said she has been told that CLBC plans to close the Richmond group home, where her 41-year-old daughter, Rory, has lived for 20 years. Pollard-Elgert fears her daughter and other residents will be moved into home-sharing arrangements, which are less expensive to operate than group homes.

“I’m horrified, to tell you the truth,” Pollard-Elgert said.

As in other cases, Pollard-Elgert said the decision appeared to have been made before families were consulted. “It sounds to me like this is a fait accompli and they’re going to be closed on Aug. 31.”

Neither Social Development Minister Harry Bloy, who oversees CLBC, or Rick Mowles, the chief executive of CLBC, were available to comment.

Carla Thiesen, CLBC director for the Fraser region, admitted CLBC wanted the company that runs the home to do it for less. “But there was no impact to the individuals,” she said.

The company refused to do it for less, so CLBC is shutting the home and shifting residents to another company or agency, Thiesen confirmed. “Under normal circumstances, we don’t force moves,” she said. “This is an exceptional circumstance and it’s one where our business relationship with the service provider is changing.”


Doors may soon close on two Lower Mainland community homes.