January, 2018
Dear Readers:
In 2016 through a generous grant from the New Jersey Council of Developmental Disabilities and along with partner Autism NJ, the Supportive Housing Association of NJ (SHA) published a housing guide entitled The Journey to Community Housing with Support: A Road Map for I ndividuals and Their Families in New Jersey. The guide has been a tremendous resource to individuals and families first by opening them to the possibilities of community housing that had been largely unknown and some that were recently emerging. And further by offering important guidance in navigating the complex systems that encompass securing housing and supports. I am happy to say that the guide has been used by over 4,000 people! Yet even as it continues to help people every day to find and secure safe, affordable and accessible homes, in communities near to their loved ones, more resources are needed. This booklet is a companion to our original housing guide. It offers candid stories of three case studies of people with different needs, opportunities, challenges and outcomes. Deb Wehrlen, consultant to this project, spent time interviewing those involved who generously shared their journeys. Each offer real insight into how the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Amid the practical advice, their hopes and dreams shine through showcasing not only how universal their quest is to live as independently as possible in neighborhoods of their choosing but also how much is possible with the right kind of supports. Please note that the identity of the people in these cases have been altered to protect their privacy. This resource offers the best information available at the time of its writing and is meant to build upon the information in our original housing guide available at http://www.shanj.org/resources/housing-guide .
On behalf of SHA, I wish you all continued success.
Diane Riley, Executive Director Supportive Housing Association of NJ
Acknowledgements:
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey (SHA) is a statewide, nonprofit membership organization, founded in 1998, whose mission is to promote and maintain a strong supportive housing industry in New Jersey serving people with special needs. SHA engages in education, advocacy and networking for and on behalf of its over 100 members. www.shanj.org
The Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey expresses its deepest gratitude to the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities for the grant funding to develop The Journey to Community Housing with Supports: A Road map for Individuals and Their Families in New Jersey and related resources.
About Reprints We encourage individuals and organizations to freely utilize and share the information from this SHA publication. Please credit SHA as the source of this information. Reproduction permission requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis; please forward these requests to SHA.
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