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An Intentional Neurodiverse and Intergenerational Cohousing Community

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An Intentional Neurodiverse and Intergenerational Cohousing Community An Intentional Neurodiverse and Intergenerational Cohousing Community Empowered by Autistic Voices Documented by: ASU team Contact: 612-396-7422 or [email protected] Meeting Agenda Project overview and updates (3-4:30PM) • Overview • Questions from audience • Fill out interest survey • Sign up for volunteer committees Working session (4:45-5:45PM) • Introductions – meet others interested in this community • Visioning exercise • Deeper dive into floor plans and financing • Discuss interest in long term commitments to the project and how to pool funds for land acquisition • Sign up for volunteer committees 2 About ASU ASU (Autism SIBS Universe) is a non-profit organization - 501c3 registered with IRS in 2018 founded by Autistics - support from peers, parents and community members Vision is to create sustainable neurodiverse communities where people with all types of abilities live together to support each other ASU Board members Mix of Autistics, parents and community members 3 Important When are a Neurodiverse community and we welcome people of all abilities We are an intentional community designed with Autistics in mind, but we are NOT an Autism or Disability only housing A community where there is something for everyone Naturally supported safe, trusted and sustainable living for ALL – Independent homes with easy access to COMMUNITY, less isolation, connected relationships, more fun, Healthier and more long term supports For families without Autism For Autistics and their - A GREAT opportunity to families – A safety net for live in a sustainable their children’s future. environment while Better support dealing supporting a neurodiverse with Autism and related community and vice versa challenges. More respite. For Autistics – More support from people that understand Autism. More opportunities to contribute to the community. Less loneliness, and fear of future 5 Cohousing is on the rise in America Living Alone, Together: Autism Cohousing: America has shifted more http://www.autismhousingnetwork.org/housing towards independence and and use filter to find cohousing less towards community and the trend is now reversing … Good examples of cohousing for disabilities: • North Street Neighborhood, NC Cohousing: • Building Ohana, WA https://www.cohousing.org// • One Kin Roof, FL • Our Home, Inclusive Community Collaborative, OR 6 The coming Care Crisis as children with Autism are growing up Above graph is showing only people using residential care funding. In reality, the no. of disabled people living with family is over $6M. Over a million are living with a caregiver over 60 7 Estimated Number of IDD Caregiving Families and Families supported by IDD Agencies: FY 1988-2015 United States Minnesota Data Source: The State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 8 ttp://stateofthestates.org/index.php/view-state-profile s What do young Autistics do after high school? Cohousing can significantly improve quality of life for Autistics! Source: National Autism Indicators Report. Transition into Young Adulthood - 2015 9 What do Autistics and their caregivers want? We interviewed a lot of people…. Many Autistics do not like living in congregational and provider controlled setting – it’s can be isolating plus less supportive long term as parents/caregivers age Even living with family members in standard communities can be isolating for many (both neurotypical and Autism families) Aging amplifies the fear of isolation for ourselves and our loved ones! 10 DHS Top Guidelines To ensure we do not mimic qualities of an institution DHS shared the following qualities that are critical to maintain during the design and implementation of the intentional living community 1. The intentional living community should be available for the general public and not created only for people with disabilities and their families 2. The intentional living community must be designed in a way that people receiving services living in the community have a choice of service providers (and a choice of where they live) 3. Housing and services should be entirely separate. The intentional living community, and affiliated entities, should not combine housing and HCBS waiver services NOTE: We will continue to partner with DHS as needed in the future Note: ASU is NOT an MA licensed provider, a group home, a foster care or an institution 11 ASU Conceptual Site Plan (Draft only) Independent homes for privacy. Shared common spaces for shared meals, activities, celebrations and collaborative work. Back doors open (optional) into a covered walkway/corridor that connects to the common house. Sizing: Location, type of housing, land size, land cost, legal structure Legal factors and documentation 12 ASU Common House (Draft only) Reception/Security desk, Kitchen, Dining, Sensory spaces, Water play, Theatre, Gym, Activity and conference rooms - have to be prioritized based on funding availability 13 ASU Floor Plans Cohousing communities typically range from 900-1300 square feet (we can go smaller or bigger as needed) Every house has basic amenities – Kitchen, Living, Dining, Bedrooms, bathrooms, storage, laundry and garages Our hope is to build one level homes (for intergenerational living). Accessibility options available 14 Activities and common meals The common house will be a happening hub and a safe space with easy access to group activities, socialization, friendships, recreation, health and wellness for ALL This environment is very conducive for Autistics drawn to self-directed learning and activities where they choose what, when and how they want to learn or experience things! Where needed, Autistics need to bring their own caregiver or PCA to support them with activities Note: ASU is NOT an MA licensed day program 15 Volunteering and Jobs There will be many diverse opportunities to contribute: Work on ASU team or on committees Write articles/blogs/poetry to educate the community about Autism and cohousing Participate in community meetings Grow food Cook and serve meals Provide PCA support Clean, lawn mow or snow blow common areas Help schedule social events, transportation, etc. …….. Note: there will be minimum number of required volunteer hours per housing unit 16 Microboards and ASU as a safety net for Autistics A microboard is a formalized “circle of support,” consisting of a small group of individuals who assist an individual with disabilities in creating and implementing a life plan – a great “personalized” long term support system as parents age Community increases opportunities to support each other with guardians and microboard members within the community ASU will serve as an umbrella microboard to guide and support individual microboards and also work as a safety net for individual microboards Participation is by choice only Sample Microboard structure Using ASU as an umbrella microboard is optional 17 Autistics in leadership roles and key part of developing and supporting the community Balance of Autistics and Non-Autistics on our Boards Autistic residents have full leadership role and choice in housing, employment, services, providers, transportation, community and anything else that impacts their lives The ASU community will be a place where non-verbal Autistics have more support for their complex communication needs: Verbal AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication ) Supported typing (facilitated communication) RPM (Rapid Prompting method) 18 Government funds Age Housing, Food, Activities and Services Clothing, etc. Below 18 Waivers and CSG grants 18 and over (living SSI income Waivers and CSG grants in parent home): 18 and over (living Home Waivers and CSG grants in ‘Own’ home) ownership and rental programs My “Own’ Home per DHS guidelines: Own unit (owned, leased or rented) with own SSI income entrance and house number MSA housing assistance Utilities program SNAP program GRH funding ?? Note: Not every activity in the common house will have a fee Note: Government assistance varies by individual Financing – Market Rate homes For families who choose to build without affordable housing options Recommendation: Live in smaller houses - pretty standard in cohousing communities since there’s easy access to shared community space Land acquisition – pool money from people interested in the community Buy a home and share it with your loved ones Buy a home for yourself and another home for your loved ones Autistics could potentially get their own mortgage. For example, People with disability open an IDA (Individual Development Account) to save towards down payment. If the qualified mortgage is not adequate to build a home, family members can build a ‘deed restricted affordable home’ for their loved ones Buy extra houses to rent to others Parallel effort: Fundraising and grants to help reduce cost of common spaces Disclaimer: The above details differ case by case Financing – Affordable Housing The best tips we gathered from cohousing communities … 1. Explore ADU’s (Accessory Dwelling Units or granny units) 2. Use Section 8 vouchers if you have one. This funding has high wait lists (Applications for the waiting list lottery are open June 12th to June 18th) 3. Explore land trusts for reduced costs 4. Tiny homes have zoning challenges, so if possible explore building houses with smaller footprints or studios could be option 5. Low income tax credit funds will limit us to rentals only, plus it’s not a model that will work for our mixed-income community Sample - inclusive cohousing in Portland: Very important
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