Innovation Spotlight | Natural Neighbours Model

by Lori Morphy, SARC Trainer/Resource Developer – Service Delivery, Aug 15, 2025

Neighbours can play a vital role in supporting people with disabilities in their day-to-day lives – by offering practical assistance, fostering inclusion, and promoting social connections. Think about your own life. Do you know your neighbours? Do you help one another out from time to time? Do you have community events like block parties or barbeques? Perhaps you help your neighbours with their pets, mow their lawn, or take them fresh baking. Having these types of connections with the people who live near you are a key part of the ‘natural neighbours’ model of support and are an important part of supporting people to live as independently as possible in communities of their choice, while experiencing inclusion, belonging, and authentic connections.

In this model of support, a person experiencing disability who lives in a typical apartment or community setting is supported by a nearby neighbour or community member who commits to helping them in a variety of areas, such as:

• Checking in with them regularly.
• Sharing some meals together.
• Doing community activities together.
• Offering practical help.
• Assisting with transportation.
• Being available or ‘on call’ if the person needs assistance or in case of emergency

This support is provided out of a genuine desire to form a relationship with the person, rather than a professional obligation. In some cases, the neighbour may receive a small honorarium or other benefit depending on the person’s individual funding and how the support is coordinated, but this is not the driving force behind the relationship.

Reciprocity is a key part of the neighbour relationship, with the person supported also contributing. For instance, they may take turns having each other over for a meal or helping with things around each other’s yards and homes like gardening or snow shoveling.

The relationship with natural neighbours in this context does not just happen out of the blue, rather it often requires some intentional planning, facilitation, and support to initiate and sustain the relationship. This may be facilitated by the person themself, or by their friends, family, or other support networks. In addition to the support from a neighbour, the person supported may also have other formal support, including day programs, supported employment, or paid support that provide specific services.

Here are a few examples of the ‘natural neighbours’ model in action:

Community Living Stratford in Ontario offers a “Supportive Neighbour” program where the supportive neighbour provides overnight or emergency assistance, as well as recreational supports, in exchange for a rent subsidy. Ideally, this arrangement evolves into a natural relationship fostering growth and opportunities for both the person being supported and the neighbour.

Community Living St. Mary’s, Ontario, also promotes a “Supportive Neighbour” program where people living close to the person with a disability agree to check in, share meals from time to time, or provide other assistance as needed.

A slightly different approach was taken in Elmira, Ontario with the “Good Neighbours” program that is offered through the Elmira Developmental Support Corporation, in partnership with Elmira District Community Living. In this program, university students receive scholarships and subsidized housing in a small apartment building, in exchange for providing informal support to other tenants with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This program has continued to expand, adding more apartment buildings and welcoming ‘good neighbours’ who are not university students. As an additional strategy, technology is used to assist tenants to be as independent as possible. You can learn more about technology supported housing here.

Check out the video below to learn more about the ‘Good Neighbours’ program in Elmira. 

These examples, along with current research, demonstrate the importance and value of natural support for people experiencing disability. Not only do people get the support they need, but they also develop authentic, reciprocal relationships, and are safer when they experience true belonging and inclusion in their communities.

Do you have a great example of natural support for someone you work with? We want to hear your stories! Contact SARC’s Communications Coordinator at ahoffart@sarcan.sk.ca