Disabled Group Housingan investment in people, communities and society

Jason Howell, Executive Director SoberHood/TROHN

Disabled Group HousingPresentation Objectives:• To gain an understanding of group housing and why it is

needed

• To understand the far reaching benefits to disabled individuals, families...and society

• To understand that different people have different group housing needs and/or at different points in their life

• To answer frequently asked questions

• To understand how you can help

Disabled Group HousingIntroduction

General DefinitionLiving arrangements where several unrelated individuals who are disabled receive support services along with housing in a single dwelling

Shortage of Disable Group Housingo Lack of affordable housing in competitive marketso Lack of financial resourceso Stigma and discrimination

Disabled Group HousingIntroductionTakes a Village

Residents

House Manager• Peer vs Staff• Overnight vs 24/7

Housing Provider• Nonprofit• For profit

Landlord

Service Providers• Case managers• Employment services• Transportation• Other wrap around

services

Disabled Group HousingIntroduction

Disabled Individuals Often Need Group Housing• To receive the support they need

• To afford services

• To live happier, healthier and more productive lives

Disabled Group HousingFar Reaching BenefitsA Rippling Effect

• Disabled individuals

• Family and friends

• Workplaces

• Neighborhoods

• Society as a whole

Disabled Group HousingFar Reaching BenefitsGenerates Costs Savings

• Cost effectively providing services

• Efficiently matches service levels with service needs

• Reduces, delays and/or eliminates the need for more costly services

Disabled Group HousingOne-size Does NOT Fit All  m   

Disabled Group HousingOne-size Does NOT Fit All

Diverse Populations and Needs

• Co-occurring disabilities and/or chronic illnesses

• Degree of disability or stage of chronic illnesses

• Self determined goals, desires...

• Gender, age, number of dependents...

• Veterans, LGBT, re-entry, homeless...

• Financial resources and limitations

Disabled Group HousingOne-size Does NOT Fit All

Different Group Housing Models

Boarding HomeBoard and Care HomeEnriched HousingTherapeutic CommunityAssisted Living Home

Foster Home

Transitional Housing

Faith-based House

Sober HouseSober Living HouseClean and Sober HomeRecovery HomeRecovery Residence

Halfway HouseThree-Quarter HouseQuarter House

Disabled Group HousingOne-size Does NOT Fit Allm

Disabled Group HousingFrequently Asked Questions

No Effect on Property Value 

According to Council of Planning Librarians Over 50 studies such as:

• There Goes the Neighborhood: A Summary of Studies Addressing the Most Often Expressed Fears About the Effects of Group Homes on Neighborhoods in Which They Are Placed 

• Group Homes for Developmentally Disabled Persons

• City of Lansing Planning Department, Influence of Halfway Houses and Foster Care Facilities Upon Property Values  

Disabled Group HousingFrequently Asked Questions

No Effect on Neighborhood Safety

Impacts on the Surrounding Neighborhood of Group Homes for Persons with Developmental Disabilities -- Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities

Sober Homes Make Great Neighbors: Low Crime, Self Funded, Saves Money, Healthy Lives --• 25 Austin Sober Homes• 2011 Crime Data (Krimelabb.com)• 2 reports• ZERO arrests

Disabled Group HousingFrequently Asked Questions

Labor of Love, Not Profits

Limited Revenue• Low income, low resource residents• Variable occupancy rates

High Costs• Startup costs• Working capital costs• Overhead, staffing, wrap around service costs• High needs residents• Maintenance costs• Marketing costs 

Disabled Group HousingFrequently Asked Questions

Regulation Throws the Disabled Baby Out with the Bathwater

• Unfunded mandates willo Reduce service qualityo Reduce the number of available houses, especially for

under served populationso Result in discrimination

• Regulation is most often proposed by Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) groups rather than Advocates for Persons with Disabilities

Disabled Group HousingFrequently Asked Questions

Federally Protected• American's with Disabilities Act• Fair Housing Act• Case Law

State Regulations• Limited by Federal Fair Housing Rights• Fire & Safety Codes• Clinical & professional services

Local Ordinances• Limited by Fair Housing Rights

Disabled Group HousingFrequently Asked Questions

Carrots Work Better Than Sticks

• Power of the purseo Government funding standardso Nonprofit funding standards

• Distinguishing "Good" Providerso Texas Recovery Oriented Housing Network (TROHN)

Develop housing standards Accreditation and certification process

Disabled Group HousingHow You Can Help

Become an Advocate• Disabled Rights• Housing Rights• Encourage housing providers to join TROHN.org

Support Housing Nonprofit• Donate, fundraise...• Volunteer

Be a Good Neighbor• Meet the house management and exchange contact info.• Work together on neighborhood projects