MEDIA RELEASE 

Ottawa, ON – October 20th, 2025 – As Canada confronts a deepening housing crisis, the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC), established in 2017, continue to lead as a national voice advocating for urgent, inclusive solutions for one of the country’s most underserved populations: individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). With a growing coalition of over 60 member agencies nationwide, ICC is mobilizing support for transformative change—through government engagement, innovative policy recommendations, and sector-wide collaboration.
Most recently, ICC submitted a comprehensive policy response to Infrastructure Canada’s Build Canada Homes initiative, urging the federal government to explicitly prioritize the housing needs of people with developmental disabilities. The submission outlined a clear path forward: a dedicated funding stream, integration of housing with support services, inclusive accessibility standards, and priority use of federal lands for supportive housing. The proposal also showcased scalable, Canadian-made construction innovations—such as prefabricated hybrid timber models—capable of delivering deeply affordable, accessible housing at speed and scale.
This bold national advocacy effort comes ahead of ICC’s annual Advocacy Day — Day on the Hill, taking place October 20–21 in Ottawa. Member agencies will meet with Members of Parliament and federal officials to advance the call for immediate investment in community-integrated, supportive housing. The event aims to elevate the voices of families, agencies, and individuals living with developmental disabilities—groups often left out of mainstream housing discussions.
“People with developmental disabilities have waited too long—and we now have proven solutions that are ready to scale,” said Bryan Keshen, CEO of Reena and Co-Founder of ICC. “Through our Build Canada Homes submission and direct engagement with policymakers, ICC is putting inclusive housing on the national agenda. This is about ensuring every Canadian has the right to a safe, supportive home, regardless of ability.”
Fueling this advocacy is ICC’s rapid national growth. In 2025 alone, new member organizations from across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Ontario, and Quebec have joined the Consortium. This expanded network allows ICC to coordinate
resources, replicate successful housing models, and present a unified voice to decision-makers.
“The power of ICC is in our collective voice and shared vision,” said Gary Gladstone, ICC Chair. “Each new member strengthens our ability to push for real change. Together, we’re not only developing homes—we’re reshaping national housing policy to be truly inclusive.”
A landmark partnership with national real estate firm Property Law is further accelerating ICC’s mission. The firm provides legal expertise, sponsorship funding, and guidance to help member agencies move projects forward more efficiently.
“We’re proud to stand with ICC in breaking down the legal and financial barriers to affordable housing,” said Joseph Berljawsky, Managing Partner at Property Law. “This movement is about more than buildings—it’s about dignity, rights, and belonging.”
Organizations interested in joining the ICC or supporting its mission are encouraged to visit: https://intentionalcommunity.org/get-involved/become-a-member/
About the Intentional Community Consortium (ICC) Founded in 2017 by Reena with support from the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Azrieli Foundation, ICC is a national not-for-profit initiative focused on creating deeply affordable, community-based housing for individuals with developmental disabilities. Through shared knowledge, innovation, and advocacy, ICC enables agencies to collaborate on solutions with lasting impact. www.intentionalcommunity.org
About Reena Reena is a non-profit organization that promotes dignity, individuality, independence, personal growth, and community inclusion for people with diverse abilities within a Jewish culture and values framework. www.reena.org
About Property Law Property Law is a national residential real estate firm with offices in Ontario and Alberta. With a mission to simplify and support housing transactions, Property Law offers dedicated services to non-profits and affordable housing developers across Canada. www.propertylaw.ca
Media Contact – Sharon Magor, Manager, Marketing and Communications, Reena
647-778-9041 – smagor@reena.org