Housing Options for Adults with Disabilities:

By Gordon Homes, CFP | By Mary A. Houser, Ed.D.

Then & Now

Today in the United States there are approximately 61 million individuals living with some kind of disability*. These disabilities vary greatly from mild to severe and impact each individual differently. Examples of disabilities include physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder to name a few. Some adults with disabilities live their lives independently, while others need varying levels of support to be successful. One consideration that has become a central focus in recent years is: Where do individuals with disabilities live during their adult years? This article examines several housing options currently available to adults with disabilities. Housing for adults with severe disabilities extends back to the mid-1800s to the institutional care model (i.e. psychiatric institutions or facilities). Adults with disabilities were housed in these establishments because they were viewed as incapable of living in their own communities. It was common practice for medical doctors to advise family members to put their disabled loved ones in such institutions.

They were not desirable places to live, however. Conditions were harsh, overcrowded, and filthy. They often failed to meet even the most basic needs of their residents.

Although these institutions remained in existence for quite some time, a shift to the current community living model came about primarily as a result of families wanting a better life for their loved ones. The community living model suggests that all individuals with disabilities live in the community of their choosing, as a person without a disability would, and not in an institution or facility. Over several years, activists from the Independent Living Movement organized an end to the segregation that these individuals had been experiencing with an institutional reform known as de-institutionalization. From the 1960s to the 1980s activists fought to create viable housing options for disabled individuals once their parents are no longer living. (Housing Options for Adults with Disabilities: Then and Now, by Mary A. Houser, Ed.D.).

Now, an adult with a disability may own a home and it will not be counted against their eligibility for benefits, known as “home exclusion,” as long as the home is their primary residence. In this arrangement, the disabled adult will typically have a support person living with them to help with their daily needs.

Adult Foster Home (Adult Family Care) In an adult foster home, the individual with a disability lives with a family other than their own, that has been trained to provide the appropriate supports needed for their daily living. Examples of supports include bathing, eating, transferring and mobility, and housekeeping. Adult foster homes are usually managed by an agency or a private provider.

Independent Living The person with a disability lives independently in a home or an apartment, and might even have a roommate. In this arrangement, direct supervision of the individual(s) is not required. Sometimes, individuals living in this housing arrangement receive ongoing training to help enhance their independent living skills.

Supported Living Supported living is for individuals who want to live in their own apartment or home (rented or owned) but are unable to do so without the help of a support person. In this model, support services are highly customized and can be personalized for individuals with minimal to more complex needs.

Supervised Apartment This semi-independent living arrangement occurs when an individual with a disability lives in their own home or apartment but needs more direct and intensive supports than the supported living model. A supervised apartment typically offers support services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, if needed. Functional skills to support independent living such as cooking, banking, and community involvement are often taught.

Group Home A group home is where three to six individuals with a disability are living together under one roof. Support personnel assist the residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to meet their individual needs. This housing option is typically operated by an agency or private provider.

Group Living/Ownership (Co-op) Similar to a group home, a co-op is a home privately owned or rented by a group of individuals who have come together and formed a cooperative agreement. Often, families of adult children with disabilities will enter into an agreement where they cooperatively select both the dwelling and the support services that will be provided.

How are living arrangements for individuals with disabilities funded? There are a few different ways that individuals with disabilities can fund their housing. These options are largely based on eligibility and can vary from state to state. Some individuals will use private funds, such as their ABLE account or special needs trusts to help finance their housing needs. Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can put these funds toward their housing needs. There are also Section 8 rental vouchers which are made available through housing assistance programs at local housing authorities to help pay rent. Medicaid Home and Community-Based Service (HCBS) Waivers provide money to Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services in their own homes and community rather than in an institution. The waivers cannot be used to pay rent, however.

Housing for adults with disabilities has come a long way with respect to these individuals’ civil rights and desire to be part of their community. Hopefully, with the growing demand for effective housing models, new and better options will continue to be created.

© 2021 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual®), Springfield, MA 01111-0001

Dr. Mary A. Houser is an associate professor in the Department of Special Education at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in foundations of special education, behavior management, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), language development, and family systems. She also serves as an educational consultant to The American College of Financial Services. Dr. Houser is currently developing an inclusive apartment community in Chester County, PA, where adults with disabilities will live alongside typical adults.