Housing in Florida a Resource Guide for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

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Housing in Florida a Resource Guide for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Housing in Florida A Resource Guide for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Introduction to the Council he mission of the Florida Development Disabilities Council, Inc. (FDDC) is to advocate and promote Tmeaningful participation in all aspects of life for Floridians with developmental disabilities. The Council is composed of 29 members who are appointed by the Governor. Members represent individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members, state agency staff and other interested individuals. The Council is a nonprofit organization that receives its funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The Council recognizes the need for available information about affordable housing assistance in Florida. The Council formed a partnership with the Florida Housing Coalition to create this Residential Housing Options Resource Guide, which includes an overview of housing options for individuals with developmental disabilities, as well as detailed information about governmental, nonprofit and private resources that pay for housing assistance and services. The Council and the Coalition thank everyone who provided expertise, technical assistance and review in producing this Guide. Special appreciation is extended to the Advisory Committee for their advice and support: • Bill Aldinger, Supportive Housing Coordinator, Florida Housing Finance Corporation • Deb Blizzard, Health Services and Facilities Consultant, Agency for Persons with Disabilities • Jack Humburg, Director of Housing Development and Amercians with Disabilities Act Services, Boley Centers • Miranda Johnson, Operations Review Specialist at Agency for Persons with Disabilities and Member of FDDC Community Living/Service Coordination Task Force • Stephanie Lampe, Senior Housing Development Coordinator, City of St. Petersburg • Gail Matillo, Director of the Elder Housing Unit, Florida Department of Elder Affairs • Pedro Rodriguez, Executive Director, Spinal Cord Living-Assistance Development • Lori Sandonato, Director of Housing, Service Source • Latarsha Williams, Community Living/Service Coordination Program Manager, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council Appreciation is also extended to the leadership of the Council’s Community Living/Service Coordination Task Force. © 2012 All rights reserved Produced by the Florida Housing Coalition, Inc Funded by The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities and The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Section 1: Housing Options for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities ............................ 7 Subsidized Rental Units ..................................................................................................................... 8 Monthly Rent Assistance .................................................................................................................. 10 Shared Living.................................................................................................................................... 12 Assisted Living Facility / Adult Family Care Home ........................................................................... 16 Home Repair .................................................................................................................................... 18 Buying A Home ................................................................................................................................. 20 Levels of Independence ................................................................................................................... 22 More Details about Each Housing Option ....................................................................................... 23 Section 2: Financing for Each Housing Option .......................................................................... 29 Financing for Housing Option 1: Subsidized Rental Housing .......................................................... 29 Financing for Housing Option 2: Monthly Rental Assistance ............................................................ 32 Financing for Housing Option 3: Shared Living ................................................................................ 34 Financing for Housing Option 4: Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) ..................................................... 35 Financing for Housing Option 5: Home Repair ................................................................................ 37 Financing for Housing Option 6: Buying a Home ............................................................................. 39 Funding You Bring to Your Housing Search ..................................................................................... 43 Additional Resources for Affordable Housing ................................................................................... 45 Advocacy for Financing .................................................................................................................... 46 Summaries of Financing Sources That Offer Direct or Indirect Assistance ...................................... 48 Section 3: Introduction to County-by-County Resources .......................................................... 58 Section 4: Personal Assessment Tool ....................................................................................... 183 PART A: Are You Ready for Community Living?............................................................................ 184 PART B: What Financing Do You Bring to Your Housing Search? ................................................. 191 PART C: Questions About Each Housing Option ........................................................................... 195 PART D: Next Steps ....................................................................................................................... 205 Appendix A: Regional Offices of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD ..................211 Appendix B: Summaries of Indirect Assistance Financing Sources ...................................... 213 Appendix C: Glossary of Housing Terms .................................................................................. XXX Introduction n Florida and nationwide there is a movement to create supported housing in community-based settings to allow people with disabilities to live as independently as possible. There is growing recognition that Imany people with disabilities can live fuller, more independent lives in integrated community settings. Independent living addresses the right to participate in society, sharing in the opportunities available to all citizens. Affordable housing and community-based services are the keys to independence for people with disabilities. The primary barrier for many people with disabilities to independent living is the ability to afford housing costs in the community. The goal of this Guide is to identify and explain the housing resources available in each of Florida’s communities. The Guide provides a comprehensive overview of federal, state, nonprofit and private funding sources. Each source offers a subsidy or aid to help eligible applicants afford housing. This Guide is organized into four sections: • Section 1 introduces several housing options that may be feasible and attractive to individuals with disabilities. Case studies of real people who benefited from each living arrangement are included and the subject of how to finance each housing option is briefly addressed. • Section 2 offers more detailed guidance about how to finance each housing option from Section 1. A variety of housing resources are categorized and explained with information about support services. • Section 3 is a county-by- county directory of how to apply for housing or how to contact housing service providers • Section 4 is a Personal Assessment Tool, which offers guidance to help individuals with developmental disabilities and their families identify the most appropriate housing options for their specific situations. • A glossary and an appendix are included in the back of the Guide. This Guide explains how eligible individuals can benefit from and access each housing resource. 6 Housing Options Housing Options for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Many individuals with developmental disabilities are investigating options for affordable and supported housing in community-based settings. As this Guide will illustrate there are many options to consider. Each living arrangement explored offers a different experience, so choosing the right place to call “Home Sweet Home” comes with many decisions. Consider, for example: • Some housing options offer living alone, while others include roommates. • Some bring homeownership responsibilities of maintenance and repair, which is not a consideration for rental. Park Place offers barrier-free rentals in Hialeah. More than half of the residents have a disability. • Some housing options offer living in urban areas, while other housing options are in a suburban or a more rural setting. How do I Pay for It? This is a key question when considering which housing option is right for you. Many individuals with disabilities and their families know their own financial resources do not stretch far enough to fully cover community living costs. This is a common story as pointed
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