Home Ownership
“A house is just a building. A home is where you have love. This is my home.”
In 1983 a group of families came together to tackle the issue of housing for adults with disabilities. Discouraged by the inconsistency of landlords, the families joined with several professionals to develop the home ownership model for adults with disabilities. Since then, Specialized Housing has brought together groups of committed families to create multiple community houses that are owned by the families themselves. Specialized Housing community members are able to live independently with the support of our experienced and committed community of staff.
We have seen that property ownership contributes to individual growth, self esteem, responsible citizenship, and community involvement.
Community
House Communities
Each house has its own unique culture, but each community strives to balance the independent needs of each house member with the goal of creating a community that works for all.
One way we foster community is through mealtime. Daily dinnertime allows community members to come together and participate in their own way. We have learned that whether individuals want to tell stories, or just sit next to a housemate and enjoy the meal and company, they are all creating community together.
Regular condo meetings between house members and staff allow individuals to engage in discussions about what matters to them. Staff helps house members support each other in building relationships and helping with the challenges of day-to-day living.
Family Group Communities
Each house community begins with the families who are committed to forming a partnership with each other and with Specialized Housing. They come together in mutual support of the residents in independent living. Families often view each other and staff as extended family.
Staffing
Our staff is the heart of what we do. They come from all walks of life. What unites them is that they care — and that they want to work closely with our community members. They are dedicated to understanding the needs of each individual. The Specialized Housing community attracts committed staff members. The national turnover rate of staff for people with disabilities is quite high. But Specialized Housing has a historically low staff turnover rate, creating consistency for our community members.
Program Manager
Each house has a program manager and most are full-time positions, working 12pm-8pm or 2pm-10pm, Monday-Friday. The program manager is responsible for managing the daily needs of the house members, supervising other house staff (live-ins, weekend staff), and serving as the program's primary contact person for families and community professionals (physicians, vocational supports, etc.).
Live-In Staff
Live-in staff are essential to the success of the house and our Specialized Housing model. Most of our locations have two live-in staff members. Because they live in on-site apartments as their primary residence, the house becomes their home, too, and they naturally become part of the house community. Live-in staff offer families and program managers that sense of security when unexpected circumstances or emergencies arise.
A live-in staff member provides direct service support in the mornings and evenings and is available for overnight emergencies. At the direction of the house manager, the live-ins follow through with support plans that are in place for house members.
Weekend Staff
The role of the weekend staff is to continue direct service support and to follow through with responsibilities directed by the program manager. Specialized Housing houses are fortunate to have committed and consistent weekend staff for each house.
Clinical Director
Each house is assigned a clinical director who supports and supervises program managers in creating support plans for each house member and checks in with individual house members regularly. The clinical director may also support families in finding additional services in the community when an acute issue arises or when there is a longer term concern that requires additional professional support.
Individualized Services
We recognize that each community member has different abilities so our staff works with each individual to understand his/her specific support needs.
The following are some of the ways in which staff may support residents:
Life at Home
Support interpersonal relationships within the household
Provide training and oversight for daily and weekly housekeeping chores
Assist with room organization
Supervise in meal planning, shopping, and food preparation
Assist with time management
Recreation and Social Life
Encourage participation in activities and community events
Recommend recreation and sports opportunities
Suggest opportunities for adult education
Help connect interested individuals with identified religious communities
Assist with identifying volunteer opportunities
Plan and prepare for parties and celebrations
Discuss current events and responsibilities of citizenship, voting
Healthy Living
Encourage healthy food choices and exercise
Offer access to community programs such as health clubs, Weight Watchers
Healthcare
Coordinate appointments as necessary
Accompany to appointments as necessary
Assist with managing medications
Provide medical/health education
Monitor for changes in health status
Consult with RN on staff
Personal HYGieNE
Assist with laundry as needed
Assist with clothing choices
Assist with clothes shopping as necessary
Advise and supervise grooming
Transportation
Provide travel training, including routes to work, ride sharing
Orient to neighborhood amenities: public library, shopping, cafes
Assist with public transportation programs, including monthly passes and The RIDE (MA) or Logisticare (ME)
Help arrange transportation for trips and vacations
Money Management
Help with budgeting, bill-paying, general expenses
Help with banking, as needed
Clinical Support / Personal Growth
Facilitate weekly house meetings covering various topics: social skills, current events, disability issues, group dynamics
Facilitate therapeutic group meetings regarding interpersonal concerns, life events, etc.
Counsel individually as needed
Refer to network of professionals for longer term therapeutic needs
Discuss the responsibilities of home ownership
Vocational Support
Help connect residents to vocational support agencies
Work collaboratively with employer and/or vocational agency
Offer advocacy relating to work issues
Services to Families
Consult on long term care needs
Consult and support on transition and adjustment issues
Recommend providers of legal, financial, other related services
Real Estate + Monthly Fee
In this home ownership model, families purchase a unit and join a condominium association made up of the other members of the house. Rooms are categorized as condo units, and each association member owns a share of the house common space (living room, kitchen, dining room, etc.). The costs for these units vary based on when the home was originally developed, the size of the room, and other variable amenities.
Specialized Housing is the management company hired by the associations to manage the house and support the community members. A monthly program fee includes all staffing, food, utilities, house maintenance, common space cleaning, cable, wifi, and many other operating costs. To learn specifics about fees for a particular opening, please contact Michael at mike@specializedhousing.org or 617-277-1805 ext. 103.
How to Develop a New House
Watercolor by Paula Schatz
If families are interested in starting a house, please contact Specialized Housing to learn more about the model, how groups form, the assessment process, and how families fund the purchase and renovation/building of the house.