23
HOUSING OPTIONS WITH INNOVATIVE ELEMENTS
#OMMUNITY #OOPERATIVES
Community Cooperatives include people living and working together in a community setting such as a farm or ranch.
3ECURE #OMMUNITIES
Community Cooperatives Model: Phil’s Home Phil loves nature and the outdoors. He lives on a seven-acre farm. Students from the local community college, as well as five other young adults with abilities similar to Phil, live together.
The term Gated or Secure Communities could be used to describe large complexes with security features designed exclusively for people with disabilities. For example, one project describes itself as a “Unique Residential Lifestyle” featuring 97 affordable “apartment-style” rentals only for individuals with developmental disabilities. The complex offers one or two-bedroom accessible units with amenities such as a swimming pool and community center. Security features include on-call emergency assistance, community security cameras and on site security patrols. In one such community, some tenants obtain rental assistance vouchers that subsidize the rent of $550 per month. A projected budget of $1,200 per month includes rent, utilities, food, clothing and personal spending money. The tenant can purchase supportive services including live-in staff, personal assistance, emergency support, employment
They all share responsibilities within the home such as cooking and cleaning and supporting one another. People without disabilities live in the huge farmhouse, as well. Collectively, they cultivate a large organic garden and raise chickens and goats. They eat healthy whole foods from their crops. With hard work and fresh air, they sleep well at night. When not farming, they create soap from the goat’s milk. Birdhouses and picture frames are constructed from repurposed wood. Some people enjoy weaving and make beautiful scarves. On weekends, they sell these products at the local farmer’s market. The income generated from the sales helps Phil to pay his living expenses. The farmhouse is a place of much activity. A local instructor teaches yoga classes. A masseuse provides free massages once a week. On Sunday afternoons, the residents host “high tea” for anyone from the community. They serve an elegant tea with finger sandwiches to the guests in their formal living room. Donations help to offset household expenses.
“Someone can get lonely even with many people around them. They need to develop real friendships and become active members of their community.”
Interacting with strangers is sometimes difficult for Phil. These public events supply opportunities to become more comfortable in social settings. People are available to Phil when he is faced with a challenge. If it is not a good day for Phil, his housemates can help him through it or cover his responsibilities when necessary. Phil leads an active social life. He attends classes at the local community college and participates in campus activities. Each week, he volunteers at a local restaurant where everyone pays for their food based upon what they can afford. High school seniors come over to the farmhouse on Friday evenings for pizza, ping-pong and camaraderie. Phil’s mom obtained grants to purchase, renovate and establish housing on the farm. Rent is charged and paid from each person’s Social Security income. Phil chooses to work on the farm and earns additional income.
and recreational services. For more information visit
WWWARCJACKSONVILLEORGVILLAGE ON HODGES PLANNED COMMUNITY . While there may be cost efficiencies in larger settings, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services resist approval of funding for group living if it secludes tenants with disabilities. When considering a congregate model, opportunities for the integration of people into the non-disabled community must be incorporated into the design.
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker