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THE JOURNEY TO COMMUNITY HOUSING WITH SUPPORTS
INTEGRATED SUPPORTED HOUSING/REVERSE INTEGRATION
In this concept, the housing developer achieves integration by designating some of the rental units for people with disabilities and the majority of the units for those who do not have disabilities, or through reversing a congregate design by slowly integrating non-disabled households into the complex.
Hope House Foundation and Hope House Residential Corporation - Integrated Supported Housing
“Hope House Foundation provides supported living services to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities exclusively in their own homes or apartments — regardless of how complex their disabilities may be.” Hope House Foundation in Virginia converted all of their group homes and relocated everyone into apartments of their own. In some instances, individuals purchased condominiums or small homes of their own. Most tenants live in larger apartment complexes. Lynne Seagle, the executive director, believes that the 125 people that they support prefer living in their own place. “Having a roommate does not necessarily mean that a person is not lonely, especially if the person does not get to choose their roommate.” The essential ingredient of this organization involves “community connectors” or unpaid folks socializing with individuals who have disabilities. The agency assists the person they are supporting to establish these relationships. This organization found difficulty locating affordable housing in communities where people wanted to live. Not all property owners would accept rental assistance (vouchers). Hope House Foundation established Hope House Residential Corporation to develop housing and manage the properties. This corporation raises funds to purchase apartment complexes. They rent some of the apartments to tenants with disabilities but most of the people living there do not have special needs. This ensures that everyone with supported services lives integrated lives within typical communities. The rental incomes received exceed the property owner’s expenses. These profits subsidize the living expenses of residents who need such assistance. Because the property owner and service provider are separate entities, the tenants can select a different service provider without having to move from their apartment. Conversely, they have the option to move to a different location and keep their supportive service provider. For more information visit WWWHOPE HOUSEORG .
After settling into his new home, Phil reports “For the first time in my life, I have friends.”
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