SELF-DETERMINED HOUSING
Since 1995, when ALAW received a grant from the Pennsylvania Self-Determination
Housing Project (SDHP), ALAW has been working to obtain affordable,
accessible houses and apartments in regular neighborhoods for adults
with autism, enabling them to form households apart from their parents.
ALAW is continuing its involvement with SDHP through representation
on its board of directors and as an affiliate organization. ALAW and
SDHP share a common philosophy of choice in housing.
Over the past twenty years, deinstitutionalization has
resulted in Americans with disabilities living in smaller
community-based facilities instead of large and often
isolated institutions. But their housing and services are
still packaged together and their choices are extremely
limited. Many people with disabilities would prefer to
make their own decisions about the type of houses or
apartments they live in, and with whom they live, as
well as choose the type of services they receive and who
provides those services. ALAW and SDHP believe that
housing should be separated from services, allowing
choice in both areas.
|
ALAW and SDHP believe that housing should be separated
from services, allowing choice in both areas.
|
Initial self-determined housing for participants in the
Autism Pilot Program includes the following living
arrangements, either completed or in progress: three
men sharing a three-bedroom twin home; one man
living in a condominium; another man living in a
subsidized apartment; one man living in a dorm at
college; two sisters living in their own house; two other
women sharing a two-bedroom townhouse; and one
woman renting an apartment with two other women
who have disabilities other than autism. Various sources
of funding, both public and private, are being tapped
for housing purchases and rental assistance. In all cases
the householders are helping to pay mortgages or rent
out of their own incomes.
|
