Research and Training Center on Community Integration
Center on Human Policy
Syracuse University
805 South Crouse Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2280
This is a revised version of an information package originally
prepared by Susan O'Connor and Julie Ann Racino. Although it has not been updated, it contains information that continues to be extremely useful to people who are concerned about supports and services for people with disabilities. Please contact the Center on Human Policy if you would like updated information on this topic.
The preparation of these materials was supported by the Research and Training Center on Community Integration, Center on Human Policy, School of Education, Syracuse University, and the Research and Training Center on Community Living, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, with support from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), through Cooperative Agreement H133B00003-90 and Contract Number H133B80048. No endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of the opinions expressed herein should be inferred. The authors would like to thank Zana Lutfiyya, Pam Walker, Steve Taylor, Bonnie Shoultz, Gunnar Dybwad, Bill Mitchell, Michael Morris, Neal Ouellett, Merrill Black, Jay Klein, and Rachael Zubal.
The continued support of Charlie Lakin and Mary Hayden at the University of Minnesota is also appreciated.
Traditional approaches to housing for people with developmental disabilities as well as for people with low incomes are generally inconsistent with this effort. For example, housing for people with developmental disabilities is typically owned and controlled by service providers, while housing for people with low incomes is often segregated.
Successful efforts at developing home ownership have been possible through collaboration between individuals, their families, advocates, service providers, non-profit housing organizations, bankers, and other interested community members, who have been willing to look at housing in alternative ways. They have been guided by the principles that housing must be stable, controlled by the individual, and integrated in the general community.
One of the lessons learned from their efforts is the importance of separating housing and support services. When housing and support services are tied together, individuals are vulnerable to funding changes and other pressures effecting the agency providing support. Furthermore, they are less free to change agencies from which they receive support services.
It is expected that this packet will be most useful to providers within the developmental disability service system, individuals, and their families, in the effort to tap general housing resources. On the other hand, it is potentially helpful to non-profit housing organizations interested in including people with disabilities. It is divided into four sections: trusts and housing, housing subsidies, housing associations and cooperatives, and organizations/general resources. Each section is further divided into organizations and resource materials.
We are simply familiar with the resources listed here and
believe them to be supportive of home ownership and community
living for people with developmental disabilities. It is possible,
however, that some organizations may promote or develop situations
that are inconsistent with this approach.
Go to "TRUSTS AND HOUSING" Section