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Kitchener Mom Battles for Accessible Home to Care for Disabled Son
13 Nov
Summary
- Kitchener mother on 5-year waitlist for barrier-free housing
- 11-year-old son has rare genetic disorder, requires specialized care
- Offered new unit, but rent is triple current subsidized rate
As of November 13th, 2025, a Kitchener mother named Rebecca Dooley has been on the Region of Waterloo's barrier-free housing waitlist for the past 5 years. Dooley's 11-year-old son, Noor, lives with the rare genetic disorder Hattersley-Urano syndrome, leaving him unable to see, speak, or walk. Noor requires constant care, including being lifted in and out of bed and carried to the bath.
Dooley has been desperately searching for a larger, more accessible unit to accommodate Noor's needs, but the region's 10-year waitlist has left her with few options. In June 2025, a private builder offered Dooley a barrier-free unit in a new building, providing her with a glimmer of hope. However, the $1,800 monthly rent is a steep increase from the $246 she currently pays through the region's rent-geared-to-income program.
Dooley's only choice now is to either accept the unaffordable unit or consider the unthinkable - placing Noor in a care home. "I'm terrified of what the future holds for both me and my son," Dooley said. Experts argue that the province's outdated building code and lack of accessibility requirements are at the root of this crisis, leaving families like Dooley's with impossible decisions. As Dooley continues to do everything she can to care for Noor at home, the future remains uncertain.
