HOPE believes that inclusion and social connection are fundamental to addressing the housing crisis facing people with disabilities and older adults.

An increasing number of older adults do not want to live in age-segregated housing, including conventional retirement communities. And in the public sector, policy and funding have firmly gravitated away from traditional segregated and institutional housing for vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, that do not achieve genuine community integration.

HOPE has incorporated these trends and other promising disability housing innovations in an affordable, supportive housing concept for people with and without disabilities. It adapts an award-winning intergenerational housing model in which individuals and families of different ages, capabilities and strengths live in small, intentional communities of mutual support. In communities based on this model, residents commit to being socially engaged and supportive of their neighbors in a manner appropriate to their abilities and interests.

What is an intentional community?

A residential community where people who share core values and hold a common social vision choose to live.

We need to transform the paradigm for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities from congregate (group home) living to offer increased choice to live and work in the community.

HOPE will partner with local government entities, developers, community organizations, service agencies and local universities to become co-creators of this innovative housing solution in our local community.

The community will have a Community Facilitator to foster a culture of belonging and neighbor-to-neighbor relationships across ages and abilities for friendship and mutual support. It will be near public transportation, shops and services.

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 beyond subsidized housing programs, our proposed outcomes include the essential elements necessary for successful, inclusive, community living for all residents.