As early summer sunshine soaked the grounds of British Columbia’s legislature, officials announced a sweeping review of the province’s troubled Home Share program, which pairs adults with developmental disabilities with host families. The announcement marks a significant shift in oversight for a program that serves over 4,200 vulnerable British Columbians—a move advocates have demanded for years.
“The time for half-measures is behind us,” said Social Development Minister Sheila Malcolmson at the Victoria press conference. “This review will examine every aspect of how we safeguard our most vulnerable citizens while respecting their independence.”
The review comes after the heartbreaking case of Martin Seymour, a 42-year-old man with autism who died in January from severe malnutrition and neglect while living in a Home Share arrangement in Kamloops. His caregiver now faces criminal charges, and the case has sent shockwaves through provincial support systems.
For Angela Clausen, whose brother participates in the program in Prince George, the review is bittersweet. “We’ve been telling them for years that oversight was lacking,” she told me during a community meeting last week. “It shouldn’t take a tragedy to get action.”
The Home Share program, established in the early 2000s, was designed as an alternative to group homes, offering more personalized care in family settings. Caregivers receive between $1,100 and $3,700 monthly depending on the level of support needed. The model has been praised for providing more integrated living experiences, but critics point to inconsistent monitoring and varying quality standards across the province.
Data from Community Living BC (CLBC), which oversees the program, shows complaint volumes increased 47% between 2022 and 2024. However, the agency conducted in-person inspections for only about 30% of placements during that period.
“There’s no substitute for eyes on the ground,” says Dr. Michael Vonn of the BC Civil Liberties Association. “People with developmental disabilities may not always be able to advocate for themselves or report problems.”
The review panel includes disability advocates, healthcare professionals, and family representatives—a composition that Faith Bodnar of Inclusion BC calls “appropriately diverse.” Bodnar’s organization has pushed for reforms for nearly a decade.
“This isn’t just about catching bad actors,” Bodnar explained during our phone conversation. “It’s about creating systems that prevent problems before they happen.”
The province has committed $3.2 million to the review process, with interim findings expected by December and a full report by March 2025. While the review proceeds, CLBC has implemented emergency measures, including mandatory quarterly in-person inspections for all placements and enhanced screening for new caregivers.
For families like the Thompsons in Victoria, who have entrusted their daughter Rebecca to a Home Share arrangement for eight years, the review brings mixed feelings.
“Our experience has been wonderful—Rebecca’s caregiver is practically family now,” says Carol Thompson. “But we know not everyone has been so fortunate. The system needs guardrails without destroying what makes it special.”
The province faces a difficult balancing act: strengthening oversight without creating bureaucratic barriers that might discourage potential caregivers from participating, especially as demand for placements continues to grow. CLBC reports a waitlist of approximately 350 individuals seeking Home Share arrangements.
At Kelowna’s Self-Advocate Center last Tuesday, I met with several adults who live in Home Share situations. Their perspectives varied widely, highlighting the program’s inconsistency.
“I love my home,” said Peter Kwiatkowski, 35, who has lived with the same family for six years. “They help me when I need it, but I have my independence too.”
Sitting across from him, Jamie Morris, 28, described a different experience. “My first placement was terrible—I wasn’t allowed to have friends visit. My new family is much better, but nobody checked on me for months when things were bad.”
The program’s challenges reflect broader issues in disability support systems, according to a 2023 report from the Representative for Children and Youth, which noted that transitions from youth to adult services remain particularly vulnerable points.
Opposition critic Henry Yao believes the review doesn’t go far enough. “We need immediate standards enforcement, not another report that will gather dust,” he said in a statement. He’s calling for an independent oversight body similar to those protecting children in care.
Minister Malcolmson defended the approach: “We’re taking immediate steps to address safety concerns while conducting the thorough review this program deserves. This isn’t an either-or situation.”
As the review begins, many families are watching closely, hoping for meaningful change while preserving the program’s core benefits. For them, the stakes couldn’t be higher—this is about the safety and dignity of people they love.
“I just want to know my brother will be okay if something happens to me,” said Clausen, wiping away tears. “These aren’t just clients or cases. They’re our family members.”
The province has promised community consultations in twelve cities throughout the summer, starting next week in Vancouver. The review panel will accept written submissions until September 30.
