Housing Options for People with Disabilities — Living with Choice
What makes housing for people with disabilities different? Hint: not much!
Just like everyone, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities need somewhere to live and thrive in their communities.
While people with disabilities may need support and accessibility in their housing options, it does not limit the choice in housing setting or determine where the person is able to live.
There is no one size fits all model for housing for people with disabilities.
Each person’s needs differ in their capabilities to live totally on their own — with some requiring a higher level of care and others needing with less frequent check-ins and guidance. Even with a variety of needs, people with disabilities have the option to live anywhere they choose.
From supported apartments to provider host homes — supported living still allows for independence.
For people with disabilities who do need help with their activities of daily living, there are a wide variety of housing options that offer support services as well.
Independent apartment programs are structured to have support staff come into a person’s apartment if and when they need. This usually includes scheduled services, like cooking help or grocery shopping, as well as on-call services in case of an emergency. The apartment can be owned or leased directly by the person and the provider agency can help with basic associated costs like rent, accessible furniture, and week to week expenses.
Learn more about our independent apartment program here.
Some people need a higher level of day to day support that is best served in a host home (or provider home) setting. A host home setting is where a person in need of services lives in a home with a full-time provider. The best part about a host home is that no two look alike. There are single provider homes, family homes, and homes with roommates offering support to the person in services. The person’s needs are met 24/7 while still being in a fully independent housing environment with access to their friends, family, jobs, and communities.
Listen to one of our providers share their story here.
There are also people who have strong family systems and would prefer to continue to live in their family home. This a great option for people who are just getting started in their independent living as well as people who simply prefer to stay where they are comfortable. A combination of family-provided and agency-provided care can be integrated to meet the needs of the person in their family home.
Learn more about our family caregiver program here.
Are there limits on housing for people with disabilities?
There are endless possibilities when it comes to developing supported housing for a person with disabilities. From part-time support to full-time care, provider agencies and people in services are able to work together to develop what living plan works best for them.
The most important piece of creating housing options for people with disabilities is to simply allow the person to be in control of their home, their access, and their future. The rest will follow!
Interested in learning more? Resources from Sample Supports
Find out more about our housing programs and other support service options at www.samplesupports.com!
