THE COMMUNITY

 We envision inclusive communities that offer an array of supports and services designed to create and maintain a safe environment, that promote independent or interdependent living, and social engagement.

AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY IS A PLACE WHERE NEIGHBORS ARE FRIENDS.

Key Elements of The Community

  • Accessible Location

    The neighborhood will be close to transportation, employment opportunities, shopping, health care, and entertainment.

  • Common Areas

    Common areas will serve as the social hub for enriching activities and will include a community gathering room and kitchen, library, computer center, and fitness center.

  • Leadership

    A Community Facilitator will organize and lead social gatherings and events, and encourage neighbor-to-neighbor social connection, address isolation, build relationships, and increase wellbeing

  • Smart Inclusions

    Units will feature universal design, accessibility and will utilize assistive technology for additional individualized support.

  • Custom Support

    The individual support services, such as 1:1 care, required by residents will be the responsibilities of the residents, not the community.

Benefits for the residents as well as the community

The HOPE NC inclusive community model was designed with the specific needs of its residents, host community, and development partners in mind. Once operational, each inclusive community will generate measurable benefits—including better mental health and physical health for all residents.

Future Communities:

HOPE NC is committed to creating inclusive community options in the Triangle area of North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) and across the state.

The inclusive HOPE NC concept brings people together around a shared vision and common values to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. It includes creating the places and spaces for inclusion and adding the right supports to facilitate belonging for all.

Many elements factor into community living being meaningful and successful. The mere placement of individuals with support needs in a home may check the box that they are in the community, but that is just giving them a bed and a roof. While we will focus on the priority of increasing the supply of affordable, accessible, and inclusive housing, our proposed outcomes go beyond housing and include the essential elements necessary for people to thrive in their home and community.

The HOPE NC concept calls for:

  • An intergenerational community of individuals with I/DD, older adults, and families, that is affordable to all.

  • A community that values diversity, different abilities and backgrounds, and will provide its residents with an environment that offers social engagement and neighbors helping neighbors.

  • A variety of housing options, from individual homes to apartments.

  • Approximately 20% of the units will be reserved for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with the balance of the units for older adults and families.

The North Street Community Facilitator Pilot Project

Beginning in January 2024, HOPE NC received grant funding to partner with the neighbors at North Street in Durham, NC where individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) live independently among caring neighbors. HOPE NC is piloting a new service that will later be used in any future HOPE NC communities to ensure that all neighbors feel a sense of belonging. This pilot project will provide a Community Facilitator onsite trained and supervised by HOPE NC who will work with all neighbors who live at North Street to formalize some of their activities and programs while also connecting community members with disabilities to the resources and supports that enable them to live fully included in the community.  HOPE NC also received a grant from The Triangle Community Foundation to hire an evaluation consultant to design and implement an evaluation of the Community Facilitator role which will enable HOPE NC to discern best practices for this role going forward.

a group of people around a table with candy and easter eggs
a rainbow around the neighborhood with many people walking down the street
a group of people posing after a dinner

How  will  HOPE

accomplish this?

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

To collaborate with local developers and establish community partnerships by bringing together individuals with disabilities, their families, and community partners to build networks that support increasing the supply of sustainable, affordable housing solutions for local adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and older adults. We plan to work with local universities and organizations to provide opportunities for social engagement, education, research and therapeutic modalities.

How will HOPE NC create inclusive communities?

Interactive Map of a Future HOPE NC Community

Click anywhere on a blue dot to start your tour!

Other Communitites