NJHSA Powernet 2026 Attendees
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Welcome to Reena!
Reena was established in 1973 by parents of children with developmental disabilities as a practical alternative to institutions. Since that time Reena has grown to provide support for 1,000 individuals with diverse abilities and their families. Reena offers a variety of services including: residential support, respite programs, counselling, therapy and advocacy. These services are offered in 33 Group Homes and over 60 Supported Independent Living Apartments across the Greater Toronto Area.
To learn more about Reena – go to our Website
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Housing at Reena
It is estimated that about 250,000 people in Ontario have a disability
About 50,000 with developmental disabilities are waiting for a housing solution.
The wait could be as long as 40 years.
More than 300,000 children and youth in Ontario are living with autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders and conditions
You could receive up to CAD $1,408 a month for basic needs and shelter if you are single.($ US 1,000)
As of July 2025, the maximum Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) shelter allowance for a single person is CAD $599/month. This amount covers rent/mortgage and utilities (heat, water)
Reena provides specialized care to meet the unique abilities of each individual, in several Intentional Community Residences, 35 residential facilities and over 60 Supported Independent Living Apartments.
Intentional Community Residences
The residences are designed to be an intentional community where tenants who have chosen to live in the building and the agencies supporting them are committed to creating one community of support. While elements and units may be led or dedicated to servicing a subset of tenants, all are part of one community. This approach to community is intended to reduce stigma and separation amongst tenants, the staff and volunteers who share in their lives.
Coming fall 2026 – Frankfort Family Reena residence: https://reena.org/initiatives/intentional-living/frankfort-family-reena-residence/
Group Homes
35 residential facilities including specialized homes for vulnerable women, seniors and people with complex behavioural challenges.
Supported Independent Living
140 Supported independent living units.
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Advocacy at Reena
At Reena, stakeholder relations are not simply supportive — they are strategic. In 2025, we deepened our influence across government, the developmental services sector, and now increasingly, health. Our efforts this year focused on expanding partnerships, securing policy commitments, and elevating inclusive housing and support models nationwide.
Under the banner of Reena Ready 2030, we’re not just envisioning a more inclusive future — we’re actively building it. Through intentional collaboration and sustained advocacy, Reena continues to lead by example.
A key achievement was securing new funding to take the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) national. Under the leadership and guidance of Batay Reena, the ICC has grown to over 70 organizations from across Canada. Through events like Building Bridges to Housing, cross-country roundtables, and “Day on the Hill” advocacy efforts, we are uniting sector leaders around the goal of developing intentional, inclusive, and deeply affordable housing for people with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and complex support requirements.
We are also building the case for systemic investment in healthcare integration for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As Reena expands its health-focused supports, we are engaging health system leaders and elected officials to ensure our reach in healthcare equals our longstanding strength in developmental services. This includes outreach at all levels of government, from local health agencies to federal health strategy consultations.
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Health and Wellness
Health & Wellness at Reena
Reena is improving access to health care and supporting better health experiences for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health needs.
What We Do
Improving Access to Care
Reena is developing a Community Health Centre to provide accessible, team-based primary care for underserved populations, including individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Reducing Emergency Department Visits
Our physician consultation service supports staff and individuals in real time, helping to:
- Address health concerns early
- Avoid unnecessary hospital visits
- Improve confidence in care decisions
Promoting Health & Wellness
We deliver health education, awareness initiatives, and community-based programs that support prevention and wellbeing.
Working Across Systems
Reena partners with healthcare providers, organizations, and government to improve access, coordination, and health equity.
Our Impact
- Supporting individuals to access appropriate care in the community
- Reducing reliance on emergency departments
- Expanding partnerships across the health and social services sectors
The Canadian National Task Group on Intellectual disabilities and Dementia
The Consortium has a valuable relationship with Reena, which provides the Consortium with administrative assistance for workshop and training events. It is also an integral partner in the Consortium’s public policy and advocacy efforts.
The “Thornhill Community Health Centre – A Reena Initiative” (CHC) is a new, not-for-profit primary care organization being developed in the Western York Region as part of the Reena group of charities. The CHC represents a long-term investment in accessible, coordinated primary care for individuals and families who currently face barriers to receiving consistent, high-quality healthcare.
The CHC has been approved for public funding through Ontario’s Primary Care Action Plan, confirming its role as a key component of the region’s healthcare system.