Its a disaster: Nearly 5K New Yorkers with developmental disabilities await state housing [Video]

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York spends billions of dollars each year to provide supportive residential settings for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), but despite the massive annual investment, thousands of families are still waiting to receive the support they so desperately need.

The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provides housing support for more than 36,000 residents with developmental disabilities, the most of any state in the nation, with investments of over $5 billion each year to develop and maintain housing opportunities.

However, as has been the case for years, the demand for I/DD housing continues to outweigh the state’s supply, leaving nearly 5,000 families in limbo and placing the responsibility of caring for individuals on families, who despite their best efforts, are unable to provide necessary supports and services.

“It’s a disaster and it hasn’t gotten better, it’s only gotten worse, and …