Close 2 Home Caledon: Local women start new non-profit to provide housing for individuals with diverse needs

March 13, 2025 · 0 Comments

Housing options for those with diverse needs are very limited in Caledon

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With a goal of providing housing for individuals with diverse needs, three Caledon women have started a new non-profit.

Liana Cancian, Elena Rosati, and Blanca Polanco are the founders of Close 2 Home Caledon.

Cancian said there’s currently no place in Caledon for individuals with higher needs to live once they have aged out of high school.

“Myself, I am a mother of a special needs girl… there’s always that million-dollar question, what is she going to do after?” said Cancian. “She lives beautifully with us, but we need to start planning today, planting that seed for the future.”

She explained there’s currently a wait list of about 15 years for housing through the Province, and a lack of funding to help families find their own housing options.

Cancian said many parents, who are getting older, live with the fear of wondering where their children will go when they can no longer take care of them.

Even if somewhere can be found, it’s often far from the Caledon community. Rosati was able to find a place for her son, who is in his 20s, but it’s in Paris, ON. She has to drive two hours just to have lunch with him.

“The frustrations are real,” said Cancian. “If other towns can have housing options, why can’t Caledon?”

This core mission is what united Cancian, Rosati and Polanco and led them to start Close 2 Home Caledon.

“The initiative is to raise funds so one day we can provide a house that is close to home where people with diverse needs can live in their own community where they are known, loved and respected,” said Cancian.

Close 2 Home Caledon is currently building its Board of Directors and advisory council and looking for volunteers. It’s also looking for partners and investors.

“We’re still in the early stages but we continue to work hard and believe this can happen,” said Cancian.

The non-profit is currently working on a website, and they can be found on Instagram for those looking to get in touch.