Introduction
Self-Determined Housing For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities
An Introduction
The Maryland Opening Doors - A Home of Your Own Project was initiated by The Arc of Anne Arundel County in 1999. It was established as a special project of The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation to meet the critical shortage of affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities. In 2001, the Project received a grant from the Fannie Mae Foundation to expand the opportunities for home ownership for people with developmental disabilities in Baltimore City. This standard curriculum guide is based on the core Opening Doors workshops. It is designed to be a step-by-step educational tool to be used by housing mentors, as well as others working directly with individuals with cognitive disabilities so that they may achieve the goal of home ownership.
The Maryland Opening Doors workshops have been taught by the Project Director, Joy Savage, a long-term housing professional and volunteer Dave Rosenthal, a Certified Financial Planner with American Express and a board member of The Arc of Anne Arundel County.
Each workshop has been geared to the abilities and needs of the individual participants and housing mentors, as the makeup of each class varies. In addition, the housing mentors do not always come. As a result, the core information presented here is in an accessible and innovative format that can be individualized.
For people with developmental disabilities, acquiring homes of their own has been an uphill battle. Most people with developmental disabilities have fixed incomes, which generally translates into low incomes. They have faced discrimination in housing, not only because of their low income, but also because of their disabilities and sources of income. In addition, persons with disabilities have traditionally been shuttled into institutional housing of one type or another, with their disability being the primary focus. Choice and control of their environment was non-existent
Persons with developmental disabilities have come a long way since the creation of large institutions in the early twentieth century, which were used to warehouse them in abominable conditions against their will. People were shut away from society, with no opportunity to ever lead normal lives. Eventually, a trend developed where people were housed in smaller institutions beginning with the early 1960's. However, the philosophy remained the same - no choices, no control.
In the 1980's, a movement toward group homes of six to eight individuals living with one or two staff persons evolved. Group homes, however, were still operating on an institutional model. The individuals had no choice regarding where or with whom they would live. In addition, they had no choice as to whom would staff their homes. Often, they could not even decide when they would get up or go to bed, what or when they would eat, or even who their friends would be. Furthermore, family members were not encouraged to remain a part of their lives.
The movement toward independent living based on the principles of self-determination, gained momentum in the 1990's. It soon became apparent that there was a great need for individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, advocates, service providers and housing professionals to receive information and training that would make it possible for individuals to be successful, independent renters and home owners.
Persons with developmental disabilities can learn how to become homeowners. However, they may require more concrete, hands-on materials, as well as a visual presentation of complex housing information. The information may also need to be presented more slowly and repeated often in order for the information to be learned and retained. When given the opportunity to learn at their own pace and within their own learning style, individuals with developmental disabilities can learn the process by which home ownership becomes a reality. This includes financial planning and other concepts. Through the Opening Doors workshops, individuals have the opportunity to learn how to be responsible, for the first time, for managing their own bank accounts, paying bills and saving for a vacation or an emergency. The financial workshop also provides individuals with developmental disabilities, supported by their housing mentors, the opportunity to take one of the key steps toward full, participatory citizenship.
An additional barrier addressed by the Project involves educating housing counselors, residential managers, lenders and others to understand the needs and abilities of persons with developmental disabilities as related to acquiring a home of their own. Housing professionals have not traditionally viewed people with developmental disabilities as constituents or viable consumers of housing. Once they understand that people with developmental disabilities have the same needs for affordable housing as anyone else, and that the home buying process can be tailored to accommodate their cognitive needs, housing professionals become willing partners in the Opening Doors process.
An integral part of the Maryland Opening Doors Project involves the ongoing assistance and advocacy of a housing mentor. Having a housing mentor is the key element for individuals with developmental disabilities to successfully acquire a home of their own. Being a housing mentor involves a long-term commitment as the housing mentor accompanies the individual to the workshops and guides him or her through each step toward independent living in the community. A housing mentor then remains with the individual once the home is purchased, and is an accessible resource for the long haul.