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HOUSING OPTIONS WITH INNOVATIVE ELEMENTS
3HARED ,IVING
SHARED LIVING means that a few unrelated people, with or without disabilities, share their resources to live in one home. This model works best when the person with special needs holds the lease and chooses who the housemates will be. Housemates might receive remuneration in exchange for providing supportive services. Often, long-term relationships develop among the people who share their home and their lives. Agencies such as HomeSharing Inc. provide services to screen and match people interested in sharing responsibilities and expenses of a home. For more information visit WWW(OME3HARINGORG . These matching services are available in some but not all counties in New Jersey. In this model, social workers reach out to home providers (home owners with extra room and a willingness to share common space in return for payment toward household expenses), and home seekers (persons of very low income who are in need of a place to live and cannot afford independent housing), to provide match making opportunities. CIRCLES OF SUPPORT is a group of people chosen by an individual to help achieve valued outcomes. This group meets regularly and assists the person in making decisions and taking charge of his/her own life.
Shared Living Model: Dan’s Home Dan enjoys structure and a consistent routine. Adjusting to change makes him uncomfortable. For many years, Dan lived in a group home with six other men with disabilities. Some of the behaviors of the other residents upset Dan. There were many disruptions including a continuous rotation of new staff members. Dan’s parents dreamed of a better life for Dan. They researched an alternative arrangement for Dan called “shared living.” Dan and his family began meeting and planning with a Circle of Support which included his brother, family members and friends. They engaged a provider agency with experience in administering shared living to join the discussions. With the help of the agency, they found a compatible housemate. This person, Todd, receives hourly wages and a portion goes to his share of the rent for the home that he now shares with Dan. With his parents’ assistance, Dan leased an apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms for himself and Todd. Todd ASSISTS $AN WEEKDAYS FROM PM AM $AN TYPICALLY SLEEPS THROUGH THE NIGHT BUT Todd is there if he needs help. Dan and Todd share some finances to purchase groceries, utilities and such. Todd helps Dan with his spending and medications. 7EEKDAYS FROM AM PM ANOTHER STAFF PERSON SUPPORTS HIM 3HE ASSISTS WHILE Dan volunteers at the local food pantry, attends the gym and enjoys a busy social life. Two other people spend alternating weekends with Dan and sleep over, so Todd has most weekends free. Before any of the staff began working with Dan, each spent significant time with him at his family home getting to know his daily routine, likes and dislikes. Dan’s parents and sibling are very involved with Dan and his new lifestyle. Initially, they met as a Circle of Support every two weeks until everyone adjusted to the new living arrangements. Now meetings are once a month. Dan and his parents interviewed the potential housemate and staff to ensure that they were the right fit for Dan. The provider agency employs the staff but Dan hires and fires them. Dan enjoys having four people who know him well caring for him. They understand his ways of communicating. They minimize disruptions and respond to changes in his moods. Dan’s preferences are important to them. Dan likes not having to compete with anyone for his staff’s attention. Dan keeps a lively social life that involves his housemates, family, and friends. They enjoy many activities together. Since Todd does not have family living close by, he spends holidays with Dan and his family. These two young men are becoming very close friends. It is hopeful that Todd will be a part of Dan’s life for many years to come.
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