Building Toward Better Housing for Canadians With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Individuals with disabilities have a right to live independently, be included within their communities, and have adequate standards of living and social protections. However, individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience elevated obstacles to obtaining and maintaining housing. In addition to brain-based differences that can create barriers to successful navigation of daily demands, many individuals with FASD experience mental health concerns, substance use, or trauma, and the experience of being houseless is, in itself, traumatic. These factors often compound, leaving individuals with FASD disproportionately affected by the ongoing housing and cost of living crisis.

This study brought together 47 Canadian housing providers, youth with FASD, caregivers, researchers, and policy makers to understand the challenges and opportunities for housing options for individuals with FASD. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to explore the aim of the research: individuals' living experiences, perspectives, and recommendations on what safe and stable housing for individuals with FASD could look like.

Four themes were generated describing how housing experiences for individuals with FASD could be improved: (1) being able to access all that is needed for housing; (2) embracing individuality and the pitfalls of blanket approaches; (3) working as a team to foster interdependency; and (4) the need for greater understanding of FASD across all sectors.

The results of this study provide vital insights on the needs of individuals with FASD in the context of housing and suggest ways forward to reduce the disproportionate impact of the Canadian housing crisis on individuals with FASD and their families.