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Housing Initiatives

Learn how the CDD supports housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
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A Brief History of Housing

Housing for people with developmental disabilities in New York State (NYS) has changed over the years. There were once large institutional settings such as the Willowbrook State School which was one of the largest facilities of its kind.

Inhumane conditions at Willowbrook prompted a class-action lawsuit filed in 1972, alleging the facility violated the constitutional rights of the residents. The advocacy of parents and people with developmental disabilities resulted in a period of deinstitutionalization during which institutional facilities began to close.

In 1975, Governor Hugh L. Carey signed the Willowbrook Consent Decree, which obligated New York State to provide appropriate housing and services for more than 6,000 individuals at Willowbrook State School.

Today, there are no longer institutional facilities for the developmentally disabled in New York State. The State now offers a variety of housing options and other services to support people to live as independently in the community as possible . 

Key Housing Terms

Housing Navigation

Housing Navigation is a service that helps people with developmental disabilities find housing in the community.

Individualized Residential Alternatives (Group Homes)

An Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA), or group home, is a residence of 14 or fewer people either operated or licensed by the Office For People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). There are two types: supervised and supportive residences.

A Supervised residence provides around-the clock staff, while a Supportive residence allows more independent living under periodic supervision.

Intermediate Care Facility

Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) provide 24-hour on-site residential treatment options for persons with specified medical and/or behavioral needs. ICFs are designed for individuals whose disability severely limits their ability to be independent. 

Master Housing Navigator

With CDD funding, the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation established five Master Housing Navigators, one for each OPWDD region. Master Housing Navigators work with people seeking to find their own person-driven, housing solution.   

Paid Neighbor

A Paid Neighbor can help a person with a developmental disability when they need assistance or with a particular task. They are someone who is "on-call"  and should be available to respond when needed.

Regional Housing Collaboratives 

Regional Housing Collaboratives bring together housing-related professionals interested in helping people with developmental disabilities by creating housing solutions. 

CDD Housing-Related Projects

In alignment with the CDD's mission and the goals outlined in the 2022-2026 State Plan, the CDD has funded a number of projects aimed to support people with developmental disabilities and their families in accessing inclusive housing opportunities. 

Statewide and Regional Housing Collaboratives

Regional Housing Collaboratives are groups of diverse housing-related professionals interested in helping people with developmental disabilities and their families to identify and create housing solutions. This project aims to facilitate learning on a statewide basis by developing, creating, and implementing individualized housing plans for people with developmental disabilities that builds upon community resources.

Innovative Technology in Housing Initiative

The Westchester Institute for Human Development is pilot testing a project that, though partnership with local Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities sites, assesses individual needs, identifies and supplies appropriate enabling and/or assistive technology, and continually evaluates and provides support for people with developmental disabilities  who are living in non-certified housing options.

Housing Resources for Independent Living

This project aims to identify statewide and regionally-based resources on the various non-certified housing options available, including supportive apartments, paid neighbors, and live-in caregivers. These resources will be hosted on a newly developed website which can be accessed regionally or statewide.

Quick Guides: Tools for Independence

The goal of this project is to empower young adults with developmental disabilities to make decisions about the topics of housing, employment and volunteering, relationships, and the transition after high school. Information is presented in “Quick Guides,” which are short publications written in plain language.

The Path Forward: Remembering Willowbrook

2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Geraldo Rivera’s exposé of Willowbrook State School, which at that time was the largest institution in the world for people with disabilities. The report shocked the nation and forever changed the treatment of people with disabilities. In recognition of this milestone, the CDD produced a series of videos, including a half-hour documentary highlighting the importance of lessons learned, positive change that resulted, and the legacy of Willowbrook.

Impact Videos

Housing Solutions for People with Developmental Disabilities: A Success Story 

This video looks at a Long Island development named Riverview Lofts, which integrated ten units of affordable housing set aside for people with disabilities. This video represents one of the success stories resulting from the Statewide and Regional Housing Collaboratives Initiative.

 

Housing Solutions for People with Developmental Disabilities: The Role of the Housing Navigator 

This video explores the journeys of Dan and Dave, two people with disabilities from Rochester, New York who found their own apartments with the help of a Housing Navigator.

 

Housing Opportunities for Independent Living 

This video explores non-certified housing options for people with developmental disabilities and the impact of Regional Housing Collaboratives.

Impact Stories

Freedom to Choose

Learn how the NYS CDD helps people with developmental disabilities live as independently as possible.

Read 'Freedom to Choose'

 

A Place of Their Own

Learn how Housing Navigation supports home ownership for adults with developmental disabilities.

John Thompson and Nick Mykytyn, both of whom have cerebral palsy, are able to live together in their own house with limited assistance. John is in his wheelchair wearing an orange henley shirt and a big smile. Nick is wearing a blue and black striped shirt and is seated in his wheelchair to the right of John. They are in their home which has green walls and Christmas lights hung around the ceiling. Photo courtesy of Nick Mykytyn
John Thompson and Nick Mykytyn, both of whom have cerebral palsy, are able to live together in their own house with limited assistance. Photo courtesy of Nick Mykytyn
Read 'A Place of their own'

 

Better Living Through Technology

Learn how enabling technology can empower people with developmental disabilities to live as independently as possible.

Two separate photos are side by side. The photo on the left is a headshot of Erin Brunelle, Director of Client Services for the Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) at the University of Buffalo. Erin has red hair is wearing a green shirt and a necklace. The right photo is a headshot of Michael May, who worked with Erin to connect with assistive technology, including sensors for his wheelchair. Michael has a shaved head and is wearing black rimmed glasses.
Erin Brunelle (left), Director of Client Services for the Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) at the University of Buffalo, helped Michael May (right) connect with assistive technology, including sensors for his wheelchair. Photos courtesy of Erin Brunelle (left) and Jennifer Moretto (right).

Read 'Better Living Through Technology'

 

Moving Towards Independence

Learn how moving from a certified to non-certified housing can be life changing for people with developmental disabilities.

Dan McCullough and his mother, Nancy McCullogh Stabins, enjoy a day at the pool. Nancy is wearing sunglasses and is in a yellow tube. Dan is standing a few feet in front of Nancy, and is giving a big smile for the camer.
With help from the New York Housing Resource Center, Dan McCullough (pictured here with his mother Nancy McCullough Stabins) was able to move from a certified setting into his own apartment.

Read 'Moving Towards Independence'

 

Determined to Do It Herself

Learn how Brianna Phibbs uses assistive technology to help her perform daily tasks which increase her independence. 

Two women faces are photographed. The women on the left has long dark hair and is wearing black rimmed glasses. The woman on the right also has long dark hair and is wearing a black jacket. They are outside with foliage behind them.
Due to limited mobility on her right side, tasks like grooming her own hair or chopping vegetables can be challenging for Briana Phibbs. Assisted technology gives her the independence to do daily tasks by herself. Photo courtesy of Christine Erman

 

Read 'Determined to Do It Herself'

 

CDD-Supported Housing Reports

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    NY Alliance Housing Navigation Report

    The Housing Navigation Report developed by NY Alliance explains the impact of Housing Navigation services. These impacts include improved quality of life for the people with DD in housing that is more independent and the potentially significant cost-savings associated.
     

    Download
  •  

    Reclaiming Innovation in Housing

    Reclaiming Innovation in Housing is a report which looks at barriers that may impede the creation of more housing fore people with developmental disabilities and how to address  those barriers. The CDD funded AIM Services, Inc. to lead the project.
     

    Download

Press Releases

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    MEDIA ADVISORY LI Builders Institute screening

    The NYS Council on Developmental Disabilities (CDD) and the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (NY Alliance) will hold a special screening of their new newly-released video, Housing for People with Developmental Disabilities: A Success Story, along with a panel discussion with DD and housing professionals.
     

    Download