INTEGRAL HOUSING STRATEGY FOR ADULTS WITH ASD
CONT Problem
01 Housing 02 Financia 03 Publi 04 Policy B
Bibliog
TENT Statement
g Strategy al Strategy ic Policy Branding
graphy
PROBLEM S
STATEMENT
LINES OF ACTION
Previous research about the present autism situation in the United States evidenced four main problems that are the base for our proposal. Therefore, we belive that to have a stronger impact in the quality of life for people with ASD, actions beyond the provision of new facilities in houses need to be taken.
01/ Housing Supply Current demand on the provision of home and community-based supports for adults with disabilities is increasing year by year. Most recent autism statistics1 identified 1 in 88 American children with an autism spectrum ten times more than 40 years ago1; soon, they will become adults. Waiting lists to access housing service, are long, sometimes for even more than fifteen years24. Current and future demand needs to be attended.
02/ Funding $35 billion is spent by the government every year3 in order to solve the needs of people with autism. Involvement of different partners to work collaboratively and strategies need to be implemented to have a more sustainable way of managing the finances regarding this topic. An important part of the project, is to empower the individual with ASD to be an active contributor to found part of his/her living environment getting involved in different economic activities and the community.
03/ Policy at a National Level Government and other organizations efforts about people with autism are evident. However, no integral solutions have been perceived. Different initiatives are promoted at different levels, but they are not integrated. Efforts should be made at a national and local level to ensure them, access to services and support to meet their needs and have the quality of life they deserve.
04/ Merchandising and Communication Despite that a program for the location of young adults into housing exists, only the 24%1 were on a waiting list evidencing the need of education and information for caregivers and families, for them to acquire the service. One of the problems these programs face is organized neighbors that oppose to live near individuals with special needs (NIMBYidsm). Residential segregation and discrimination need to be eradicated. Autism perception in a neighborhood needs to change. Efforts concentrated on one integral strategy will act as acupuncture, revitalizing a block, but also transforming the surrounding neighborhood into a more inclusive and aware community 6.
This strategy is composed of different components that aim to concentrate intelligent housing supply, health-recreational services, commercial areas and productive activities as part of a sustainable proposal that looks not only for the benefit of the young adults with autism but also the family, caregivers and the state effectiveness and efficiency.
HOUSING
01 STRATEGY
MY BLOCK
Main criteria to determine the proposal1 01/ Suburban Areas
03/ Amenities
A study1 demonstrates that 64% caregivers and 55% young adults considered the suburbs as the most appropriate living environment for the individual with autism.
Previous actors that are present in the daily life of the adult with ASD are primarily concerned about the individuals safety, practical or emotional needs of the individual in their living environment and future housing situation. This concern represents a challenge for the living environment of the individual that will improve housing conditions.
To live in a suburb offers different benefits like having access to diverse job opportunities at the same time you can also have a more active community life and closeness to open and natural quiet spaces between others.
02/ Relevant Actors During the adulthood of a person with an autism spectrum, people that surround them are also vital actors to take into account when discussions about autism take place. The autism individual is not autonomous; they depend on caregivers that in some cases are relatives or specialist that assist him/her through their life to overcome daily challenges. Additionally, this proposal considers the state as a fundamental actor. A state that can act as a mediator between organizations interested in supporting people with ASD and facilitator of housing and a better quality of life for them with the creation of a housing stock for that purpose.
Furthermore in the present, only 37% adults that are not living independently are working and only 30% of them work full-time. However, they recognize the importance of working if they want to live to live independently.
04/ House Occupation Same study determines that 60% of people with ASD would rather live alone. Additionally, the other 40% that wants to share a place to live, prefer to have only one roommate. In respect to the caregivers, 61% determined that an ideal condition would be to have only one roommate. It is important then, to take into account these observations to come up with a solution that is the ideal for them.
Relevant actors for the project
caregivers +
young adult
their need to live closer to their workplace
+
their need to live in an environment that enables them to live independently, safe and to be economically productive
parents +
other families +
their need to know their loved ones are in a safe environment
their need to live in a suburb, closer to a responsable and attractive environment with different amenities and services for an accessible price
The state As a mediator and facilitator for the provision of high quality housing for people with ASD
"The physical environment, plays a critical role in promoting independence and improving the quality of an individual’s life. A supportive and appropriate physical environment can shift the balance in favor of the person living a life in their home with the ability to make meaningful choices and experience greater control over their lives." George W. Braddock
My Block
My Block components 01/ Housing
02/ Productive Area
The concept of the house is based on the idea of defining a housing prototype where two different users converge in the same living area. This project conceives two housing typologies (See diagram). Each one is composed of three housing units (A, B and C) Units A,B - Located on the ground floor. Focused on individuals with autism. Both typologies can host one or two adults with autism, depending on their social and sensory needs. Unit C - Focused on families that are willing to cooperate with the community. Unit C is available in two different models that define the housing typologies according to the possibilities and families needs. Both house typologies are complemented by the productive areas, transforming the house into a productive space. Things that are produced by the individuals are sold in a market that occurs every weekend in the areas attached to the housing units and are part of their monthly income.
Typology A
Typology B
The productive areas aim to encourage local economy. My Block will have specific areas where the young adults can have their own space to develop and create what they like to do. There are open areas for the ones that have an interest in cultivating their own food, enjoy growing, picking, eating and selling their own fruits and vegetables. There will be close spaces for the autism adults that prefer doing and selling handcrafts, working with technological equipment, sewing baking or decorating cakes and others.
03/ Green Areas To be in contact with nature is an important characteristic of the living environment of the individuals with autism. Green areas will consider materials, colors and surface textures to improve the quality of life reducing stress and anxiety, and helping enhance focus and attention. Gardens can be used to spend time reading, having small meetings or just breathing. Green areas will consider all the possible triggers to help maintain adults regulated (specially if they have a hypo or hyper sensitive profile) and give them a safe environment.
01/ Housing
02/ Productive Area
My Block components 04/ Public Transport A safe environment for people with ASD includes safe mobility. Therefore, a special bus stop is placed in the master plan to have access to safe public transport that meets different requirements (See IoT).
05/ HUB My Block will consider different services within the master plan. The program responds to various necessities that adults with autism need to live independently and services that can be attractive also to the community that surrounds My Block.
Gymnasium This space aims to give physical and emotional benefits for the individuals with autism. However, it works also as part of the neighborhood amenities that can be used for the population in the surroundings. Autism adults need to keep healthy and do workouts often; this will help them stay regulated during the day and keep working their vestibular and proprioceptive systems. This space will consider adequate lighting, flooring, echoing.
Health Center It will be designed to provide facilities for families and adults that live in My Block with medical and therapeutic services as well as the neighbors from the surroundings. This area is divided into two different areas: - ASD Support Center - Medical Center
Vocational Center The vocational center aims to train young adults for different jobs and insert them in the market labor. Classes for teaching vocational and independent life skills to provide employment opportunities. All of them will help ASD individuals with their challenges such as language, communication and socialization skills.
Commercial Areas Commercial areas located in the Hub, are focused more on the provision of services that the neighborhood demand as hair salon, laundry, restaurants, between others. Through these areas, some individuals with autism can be inserted in the labor market also.
04/ Public Transport
Health Center
Commercial Areas
Gymnasium
Vocational Center
05/ HUB
Good transition support for young people with autism should cover all relevant areas of service provision, including housing and employment support. That will impact on their ability to reach their potential, through access to different opportunities and independent living
01/ Housing (typology A)
Axonometric of the block typology and its components
01/ Hou
(typology B
using
04/ Public Transport
B)
02/ Productive Area
05/ HUB
Examples of My Block adaptation in different suburbs located in United States
Colorado Springs, California 186 young adults* - 62 families
Pearland, Texas 138 young adults* - 46 families
Nassau County, Pennsylvania 72 young adults* - 24 families
Dakota County, Minneapolis 87 young adults* - 29 families
* Amount of young adults considering 3 adults per house. Max. capacity = 4
According to the National Housing and Residencial Survey1 84% of caregivers reported that the individual with autism is currently living at home. However, it also expounds that 85% young adults prefer to live independently alone or with a roommate.
“I want to be able to live like normal people as much as possible. I don’t know what the future will bring but i’m going to do the best I can.” - 20-year-old with autism
Therefore, housing plays a crucial role in supporting people with autism to maintain good health, independence and improve the quality of life.
Productive Areas
Housing Prototypes
Green Areas
Housing Prototypes
Pr
roductive Areas
Productive Areas
Housing The housing prototype combines two models in order to satisfy two main necessities: First, Units A and B become an introspective space to meet the necessities of the young adult with ASD. A more personal and private space looks for a more comfortable living. On the other hand, Unit C looks to be a more open space, with big transparencies that allow a dialog with the natural environment. This house aims to host a family that wants or have the necessity to live in a suburb.
Therefore, these community environment will allow that families or specific individuals can facilitate some tasks to the people with ASD at the same time that they facilitate other things to the families. 3 Integration of diverse social groups. Strengthening social cohesion is an important part of this project, by facilitating access to housing in a privileged area to a vulnerable group. Mixing land tenure can help to achieve more fair neighborhoods with equal opportunities for everyone.
Two previous units overlap in the new integrated prototype (see diagram) that will allow: 1 Sense of community among residents. Interactions between families and adults with ASD will create a sense of responsibility and sensitivity towards autism spectrum at the same time that allows the young adult to integrate gradually to a social environment and community life. 2 Symbiotic interaction between residents. Families, caregivers and young adults have different skills and abilities that the others do not.
C Unit Extroverted House (Typical House)
A/B Unit Introverted House (ASD)
+ = A New Prototype
Two Different Typologies
Typology A
A sense of comunity
Typology B
Typology A
Ground Floor Plan Typologies A-B
First Floor Plan Typology A
Construction Area: 380 m2 House price: $308,000
Photovoltaic Cells
Materials Palette Roofting
Monthly productivity: 700 KW wood
al. sheet
0.17 k, W/m * °C
237 k, W/m * °C
Exterior Walls
Light Wells
First Floor C Unit
wood
al. sheet
0.17 k, W/m * °C
237 k, W/m * °C
Interior Walls
200m2
1 Visiting Terrace 1 Kitchen 1 Dining Room 1 Living Room 1 Family Room 1 Master Bedroom + bathroom 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom 1 Terrace
Ground Floor A Unit 150m2
1 Dinning Room / Terrace 1 Kitchen / Terrace 1 Living Room / Studio / Terrace 2 Bed Room / Terrace
B Unit
plaster
zebrano wood
Flooring
monolith monolith black gray
Exterior Flooring
monolith black
deck wood
150m2
1 Dinning Room / Terrace 1 Kitchen / Terrace 1 Living Room / Terrace 1 Bed Room / Terrace 1 Studio / Terrace
Gray waters / Raw sewage
ecological concrete cobblestone
Vegetation
Treatment chambers
Pruductive Área 170m2
Axonometric - Housing Typology A
portulacaria afra
grass
Typology B
First Floor Plan Typology B * For ground floor plan see previous page
Second Floor Plan Typology B
Construction Area: 500 m2 House price: $400,000
Photovoltaic Cells
Monthly productivity: 700 KW
Materials Palette Roofting
Light Wells wood al. sheet 0.17 k, 237 k, W/m * °C
Exterior Walls Second Floor C Unit
2nd floor 100m2
1 Master Bedroom + bathroom 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom 1 Family Room 1 Terrace
wood al. sheet 0.17 k, 237 k, W/m * °C
Interior Walls
zebrano wood
First Floor C Unit
Flooring
1rst floor 200m2
1 Visiting Terrace 1 Visiting Living Room 1 Visitng Room 1 Bathroom / Laundry 1 Kitchen 1 Living Room 1 Dining Room 1 Terrace
Ground Floor A Unit
plaster
monolith black
monolith gray
Exterior Flooring
150m2
1 Dinning Room / Terrace 1 Kitchen / Terrace 1 Living Room / Studio / Terrace 2 Bed Room / Terrace
monolith black
deck wood
B Unit 150m2
1 Dinning Room / Terrace 1 Kitchen / Terrace 1 Living Room / Terrace 1 Bed Room / Terrace 1 Studio / Terrace
ecological concrete cobblestone
Vegetation
Gray waters / Raw sewage Treatment chambers
Pruductive Área 170m2
Axonometric – House Typology B
portulacaria afra
grass
My House Units A and B are focused on the users with autism, looking for their physical and emotional comfort. The house aims to be introverted as their inhabitants (See diagram). That means it has not connection directly to the exterior as the family house does. On the contrary, it looks for more personal and intimate spaces. 1 The house is conceived as a space that turns gradually into a more introspective space as they enter the house. Space is arranged by a linear and continuous circulation system, which distributes sequentially the areas in the house, in order to avoid distraction. This sequence allows also to have acoustically modified spaces. (See page 19) 2 A permanent connection from all the areas in the house with an introspective green space allows sensory calibration makes the transition from different sensory zones more comfortable. This area also works to realize private activities in a controlled green environment enhancing attention and reducing anxiety.
However, it can also be occupied by one individual and have the possibility to have an additional room to have a personal workshop that works as a calibration space outside their bedroom, or even for a non-ASD roommate or their sentimental couple. The house is designed as a neutral sensory environment. However, based on a research of 20085, after an individual is assigned to a house, the spaces will be customized and livelihood conditions will vary according to the sensory needs previously identified. Sensory conditions might be catalogued in Hyper or Hypo. Sensory issues as vestibular, auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory and proprioceptive will be considered to determine the previous conditions.
3 Their bedrooms are the more intimate part of the house and are considered as the "escape space"the adult with ASD needs. Therefore, a soundproof system in walls and graduation of natural lighting is present in the model. Each unit has two private bedrooms giving the possibility to host two adults with ASD that have similar conditions.
A/B Unit Introverted House (ASD)
2
3
2
1 Entrance
Unit A Ground Floor Plan- Introverted Units
Entrance
Unit B
Sensory Callibration
Internet of Things (IoT) as an innovative tool IoT acts as a complement of the urban and architecture proposal. It connects young adult daily activities in his/ her living environment to a SMART home server that manages the information and assists the individual in the independent living. Activities are divided into three vital aspects that take into account activities that need complete or moderate support:
Living environment It covers aspects from the daily living of the individual. From more personal aspects as health attention and daily schedule to the administration of the house and resources. Therefore, the Smart house will scan he/she daily for a health evaluation, display the activities of the day, control that the house has the right conditions for comfortable and safe conditions and expose when cleaning or grocery needs to be done.
Mobility Aiming safe mobility the server will connect to the next public transport info that meets specific requirements as buses with wider seats where they can see availability, assign a specific one before the arrival.
An alert will be displayed to inform he/she arrived at the destination. Additionally, it will arrange for them shortest and safe walking routes to reach the final destination.
Finances One of the most important aspects to pay attention is the control the finances of the individual. Therefore, this app will manage the finances, registering the purchases he/she does with a debit or credit card to make balances at the end of the month, pay bills and others. The information collected will be recorded, processed and communicated to the person responsible for the finances of the person with autism.
The SMART home server connects to the health center that is available 24/7, providing professional assistance when needed. This will enable Units A and B to become "smart" and create a controlled and safe environment for the young adult. Information concerning the living environment, mobility and finances of the person with autism will be shared with people close to him as the parents, caregiver or accountant through their mobile device.
My SMART House
My SMART Neighborhood scale
Housing
Public Space
HUB
Public Transport
My SMART House
Unit A Unit B
Ground Floor Plan SMART Home server (one for every adult) Young adult
1
Entrance: Will be registered by the fingerprint of each individial and will notify parents and caregivers safe arrival.
2
Food Storage: Notify when food supply is almost over (based on weight in specific storage).
3 Safety Environment: Identification of possible
5 Schedule: Organizing individuals daily activities
4
6
electric or stove problems, flooding and others.
Ambience: Regulation of temperature and lighting according to the individuals necessity and the surrounding environment.
and reminders to help independent living
Manteinance and Cleanning Service: Notification when mantainance of the house and green areas is needed.
4
1
SMART Home server (one for every adult) Young adult
Axonometric IoT - Neiguborhood scale
Parents: Have access through their mobiles to the relevant information of the living environment of the individual with autism to make sure they are ok. Caregivers: Specific alerts will be displayed in their mobile, when the individual is in special needs.
3
2 1
Productive Area: Information about the schedule of the activities in the productive area will be placed on the individual schedule.
3 Public Transport: Access to information related
2
4
Health Center: Weekly medical appointments will be placed on the individual schedule. Additionally, a panic button located in the house will be connected to the emergencies area (24/7)
to public transport routes that meet specific requirements for safe travel, safe walking routes before traveling to a destination. Community Interactions: Community activities will be placed on the schedule in order to facilitate interactions.
THE HUB - Autism Specialties
Concentration of services will permit to attend a larger demand making it more efficient and economically accesible.
Healt Center
- ASD Support Center Will meet the complex needs of individuals over 18 years of age with ASD or related, will include the following elements:
1
Behavioral medicine services, including mental health assessments and medication management. 2 ASD diagnostic screening and evaluations. 3 Care management to support individuals, and their caregivers or family. 4 Resource identifications to support individuals. - Medical Center In the aim to implement a medical facility to the neighborhood following elements are included:
1 Primary Health Care 2 Radiology 3 Pediatrics 4 Dental Services 5 Nutrition Services 6 Pharmacy
Gymnasium
Includes the following elements specifically for individuals with ASD:
1 Cardiovascular area 2 Weight lift area 3 Instruments and weight instruments 4 Room for aerobics 5 Swimming pool Additionally, separate workout area for other people from the neighborhood.
Vocational Program and Career According to the specific needs of the adults with ASD, different skills can be strengthened in order to be prepared for different carriers and/ or job applications:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Art Cosmetology Nutrition Culinary Arts Bakery and Cake Decorating Sewing and Fashion Design Desktop Publishing
Materials Palette
Photovoltaic Cells
Monthly productivity: 700 KW
Roofting
Light Wells
wood al. sheet 0.17 k, 237 k, W/m * 째C
Exterior Walls
wood al. sheet 0.17 k, 237 k, W/m * 째C
SWIMMING POOL 130m2
Interior Walls
GYM / OFFICES
zebrano wood
2nd floor 485m2
plaster
Flooring Health Center (ASD Support Center) 263m2
Behavioral Medicine Center
monolith black
ASD Diagnostic Screening and Evaluation Care Management to support individuals Vocational Program and Career
monolith gray
Exterior Flooring
Health Center (Medical Center) 263m2 Primary Health Care Radiology Pedriatrics Dental Services Nutition Services
monolith black
deck wood
Plaza
280m2 ecological concrete cobblestone
Vegetation Commercial Area 350m2 portulacaria afra
Axonometric
The Hub Construction Area: 1,200 m2
grass
Gym
Commercial Areas
Green Areas
FINANCIAL
L STRATEGY
02
Financial Model Families of people with autism lack financial resources to provide their relatives with the ideal conditions and depend on outside assistance. For this program, three main aspects need to be financed: A Land (ideally public land) B Young Adult Housing C Amenities The sustainability of the financial model is ensured by two different operations, in both of them, the State plays a crucial role: 1 Cross subsidy system based on revenue-sharing model Subsidized: Young Adult Housing (Units A-B) Target: Young adults that want to live independently. Subsidiary: The Family house (purchase) Target: Families with the necessity to live in the suburbs in an attractive environment with different amenities and services for an accessible price. In this operation, the state acts as a developer and constructs housing units, selling the Unit C and creating a stock of housing in the ground floor (Units A-B) for rent. The sale price of Unit C will also finance units A and B and the revenue will be used by the state to finance part of operation 2 and urbanization. The rent of Units A-B will be financed by charitable organizations, parents (defined according to the payment capacity) and the economic activities that the young adult realizes and will be for the maintenance of the house and common areas. (See diagram example)
2 Enabling investment / looking for partnerships. As part of the local strategy, the state needs to find partners and act as a mediator between them, to get financial aid for the construction and maintenance. The concentration of public, private and third sector efforts is needed. This support may happen through incentives to various financiers or institutions interested in supporting people with ASD, that will play different roles according to their economic capacity and expertise. The creation of tangible value that will return to the investor, ideally with profit is necessary and can be feasible through: - Commercial Areas (rent) - Provision of services (amenities) The financial model will help families that do not have the financial possibilities to provide housing accommodation integrated to care and support the provision of other services to their relatives with autism, to improve their quality of life encouraging a more autonomous behaviour.
Strategic role of financers and subsidies
Subsidiary model - Unit A
“it’s more than just purchasing a home. it’s funding the people that supervise my son 24/7. Food, gas/ electric, etc.” - mother of 21-year-old1
PUBLIC
03 POLICY
My Block Program - Public Policy for adults with autism
To respond to the housing deficit for people with ASD and for them to have access to the services and care they need in their adulthood, the government needs to launch an ambitious integral housing policy at a national level that can concentrate efforts on integral projects to have more impact. The strategy includes housing and different things that government will do to make sure that adults with autism receive the help they need. 1 Autism aware communities 2 Financial model 3 IoT as an innovative tool General objectives - To decrease qualitative and quantitative housing demand for vulnerable groups as individuals with ASD. Specific objectives - To increase the quality of life of young people with autism and promote a more independent life in a comfortable and safe environment.
Government should produce a statutory guidance for local governments and local health centers to implement the strategy in their state. How to apply? - Beneficiary young adult Family of the individual should apply for the Program when he/she is 18. Transitional program is required 6 months before relocation. Contracts need to be signed and renovated every year - Beneficiary family The beneficiary family must apply to the program following a process in which demographic, business and family data are collected. This information will be used to choose the most suitable families for My Block Communities. In addition, the beneficiary family should develop a letter that explains the reasons why he wants to be part of the community.
- To give a partial subsidy to families that have a young adult with autism to afford independent living. - To give facilities to caregivers and/ or other families to have access to a high quality housing and neighborhood amenities in exchange of support for the community.
Policy cycle
MERCHA
ANDISING
04
My Block Program: An attractive program for everyone An effective public policy is the one that promotes equitable and effective solutions to solve the identified problem and benefit a specific group of people in need. Public policy cannot be entirely effective without a powerful communication strategy that allows beneficiaries to have access to relevant information in order to acquire the benefits. Policy branding will increase the possibilities of the project to be successful by attracting the different actors that are considered important for the development of the project. Therefore, an integral strategy was planned to try to make a proposal that was going to be attractive to those actors.
For the young adults with autism My Block is a place where the person with autism can find a place that encourages independent living through architecture urban environment, community and job opportunities. Here, they can be productive according to their strengths, have access to professional health care and other facilities for their therapies as psychologists or a special gym, and even have assistance in the process of moving to achieve more independent behaviour.
For the parents of young adults with autism Parents will be able to afford quality health, recreational and living service. This program will be the tool to provide a professional setting accessible to all the families with ASD members, that will give the structure and support they need to continue to grow. Additionally to all the facilities in My Block, the family will be able to know how their relative is doing in his or her daily living environment; information such as finances, healthy eating and others.
For the families or caregivers that want to live in a suburb Facilities are given to caregivers or families that are sensitive to people with autism or other disabilities to have access to a high-quality housing and neighborhood amenities at the same time that they subsidize the ground floor (Unit A-B) and help to build a more inclusive and collaborative community. My Block wants to change the perception of housing for individuals with autism and eradicate NIMBYidsm. Neighbors will want to have this project in their neighborhoods because it will positively benefit the residents and the surroundings with the health center, vegetables or products elaborated by the individuals, commercial areas, quality public space, accessibility to public transport between others. Communities will become more aware and inclusive.
According to the National Survey, the top concerns for ASD independent living for autists people are: Paying for my home, fear social isolation, not having continued care from caregivers or families, maintaining supports.1 Therefore, this proposal tries to solve these concerns and merge them into one solution: "My Block" as an integral and sustainable housing strategy for people with autism.
“I want to make sure she is in a nice environment, taken care of with respect and involved in daily activities and outings, and getting her medicine.� - Mother of 24-year-old
BIBLIOG
1/ National Housing and Residential Suppor 2/ Housing and Residencial Sup 3/ https://www.autismspeaks.org. Article: 4/What are the options of Housing and
5/An architecture for autism: concetps of design inte 6/ https://www.autismspeaks.org. Article
GRAPHY
rts Survey Executive Summary. Autism Speaks. -
pports Toolkit. Autism Speaks. 2011
: Federal government increase funding autism
d how do I find them. Autism Speaks. 2011
tervention for the autisitic user. Mostafa, Magda. 2008.
e: Combating NIMBYism: Not in My Back Yard