Planning

ARE INTENTIONAL COMMUNITIES AN OPTION FOR HOUSING?

Few transitions bring more fear and change than moving out, and that trouble doubles for kids with special needs. In general, housing options fall into four categories: living with family, independent living, congregate settings, and newer intentional communities.

Living with family is always the most comfortable setting, as it is what people are familiar with. In Ohio, 65% of adults with developmental disabilities live with their parents or family.

Intentional communities, like Solon Community Living, provide a middle ground, offering opportunities for independence while having the structure and engagement that often is not provided within congregate settings.

Intentional communities are not new. The foundations of them can be seen throughout the history of society, although the first modern community is generally believed to be a L’Arche community, built in 1964.

By Logan Andress

These communities are generally built by parents and vary in size from 8-10 people all the way to hundreds of people being served. They allow for sharing of services, oversight, and to be able to build a community of families who are engaged in wanting a different standard for their loved ones. Additionally, families have more intense interest in setting care and activities for the community, creating a more personal calendar and interest-based approach to the development and care within the community. According to the Foundation for Intentional Communities, there are presently, at least,1,450 different intentional communities in just the United States. In creating Solon Community Living, we looked at over 25 different communities across the country and created our own model, encompassing elements of those communities that we felt were best practice and making it our own.

Funding for these communities come from various sources, often starting with family resources. Any public funding through housing or Medicaid is limited at present and cannot be counted on to create these communities. Whether through philanthropy or public-private partnerships, the funding piece is a collaborative effort from the surrounding community.

As you look toward future planning, there is so much that goes into the process, from having a frank discussion about what can be afforded to what elements of independent living are most important.