Sudbury family forced to move on from Ronald McDonald House

Up North7:41Sudbury family faces more challenges

The Ronald McDonald House has let Sudbury's Desiree Lamoureux that the family know that they need to start looking for a new place to stay in downtown Toronto.

A Sudbury family is struggling to find an affordable place to live near the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Desiree Lamoureux and her family have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto for nearly two years. Her son Taylum was born with polycystickidney disease and needs daily care while he waits for a kidney transplant.

But the Ronald McDonald House has let the family know that itneeds to start looking for a new place to stay in downtown Toronto.

The charity house near the hospital usually only lets families stay for up to a year.

"So right now we are just kind of working with them to see if we can come up with some sort of end date which would come in the form of a transplant date," Lamoureux said.

"And were that to happen, I don't think we'd have to go anywhere. But in the meantime we have to explore other options."

The family pays less than $500a month to stay at the Ronald McDonald house, Lamoureuxsaid. An apartment in downtown Toronto for the family could be close to $2,000 a monthand they are wondering how they would pay for that

In last two years, there has been a 40 per cent increase in the demand for spaces at the house,and some families were put on a waiting list or were turned away, the charity said.

"While we are not a permanent solution for families who have children with continuing, complex needs, we are proud to be an important part of their journeys," said a statement from Ronald McDonald House Toronto.

"We really wish the best for the family, and hope that public outreach can perhaps assist them as they make their next steps."

Of the 800 families that Ronald McDonald House helps annually, 160 are from northern Ontario.