'Step back' from housing rules aimed solely at people with disabilities, report urges

Albertans with severe developmental disabilities don't need special safe housing rules, says the chair of a public consultation team that has written a new report on the issue for the government.

A report delivered Wednesday to Human Services Minister Irfan Sabir advises against a set of prescriptive rules for safe housing aimed solely at people with disabilities.

"We asked government to step back in terms of code," John te Linde said Wednesday.

"The point is that these codes be applied to people with disabilities as they would to any other Albertans."

Earlier this year, the Alberta government repealed the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Safety Standards Regulation after a backlash from the community and complaints to the human rights commission.

The safety standards, introduced by the previous PC government, required PDD housing to include sprinkler systems, firewalls and water regulators — expensive upgrades many landlords were not prepared to make.

"People were faced with the threat of having to move out of their homes due to some of the requirements," te Linde said

The regulations originated from a fatality inquiry into the death of a woman with Down syndrome in a 2007 house fire in Edmonton.

The new report's 11 recommendations focus largely on staff training and education, safety standards, and accreditation for agencies and interpreting safety codes.

"We think it provides solid direction and sound guidance for moving ahead to promote safety and inclusion for people with disabilities," te Linde said.

"Safety is more than just about physical structures, things like fire alarms," he said. "It's about people having the necessary supports from properly trained people to live safely in their homes and in communities."

Sabir said the government will study the recommendations over the next few months.