Disabled Sudbury man living in his vehicle

Disabled Ont. man on ODSP is living in his vehicle Alana Everson shares the story of Mike, a homeless 58-year-old disabled man in northern Ontario living in his vehicle and his struggle.

A disabled man in Greater Sudbury, Ont., who is homeless and living in his car shares his story with CTV News.

The 58-year-old said he sharing his story to show how difficult it is to live on the Ontario Disability Support Program known as ODSP.

Mike told CTV News that he did not want to share his last name because of the stigmas related to being homeless.

Living in his vehicle after an eviction

He said he has been living in his car since June after being evicted when the property he was living in was sold.

“You know the pain, everything you got to deal with never mind the food to get fed to shower to use bathrooms,” said Mike.

“People don’t understand what we go through.”

He suffers from a heart condition, anxiety, PTSD and the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease.

Mike said he now lives on just over $900 a month from ODSP without the shelter benefit.

“My mobility is limited and sleeping on the floor of my vehicle here just makes my health issues worse,” he said.

CTV News out to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services that is responsible for ODSP for comment, they replied with a statement the said in part:

“Our government continues to invest in programs and services to make life more affordable for residents across the province so that nobody gets left behind…

Since September 2022, we increased ODSP rates by nearly 17 per cent, including a 4.5 increase in July 2024. We have also tied these rates to inflation.”

Mike said he does not do drugs, drink or smoke and currently all the money that he receives is spent on basic needs and his cell phone.

He said he is not surprised more people are becoming homeless.

“Most definitely the province has to do something because it’s in every city,” said Mike.

It’s impossible

Mike said it’s impossible to secure an apartment and live on just over $900 a month.

“Even a bachelor apartment is over $1,000 a month so never mind a one-bedroom and it just keeps skyrocketing,” he said.

“To find an apartment on the income that I have coming in right now is impossible because there is nobody in their right mind that will rent to you on that kind of income.”

Mike said he is on Greater Sudbury’s emergency list for housing but has been told even with his urgent status it could take several months to a year before his needs are addressed.

Earlier this year, a report presented to city council said ending homelessness in the city would cost $350 million.