Finding housing is often another major challenge for people with disabilities. How can people use self-direction strategies to obtain affordable, accessible housing?
Share your thoughts. We can learn from one another by sharing our resources and experiences on here.
For me, I've really moved into my own place once and that's where I currently live.. I lived in the dorms and at my parents before moving here. I live in subsidized housing complex specifically meant for people with disabilities. For now it's the best option for me. I'm on the waiting list for accessible subsidized housing in Madison, but it's like a three year wait. I wish there were more options for people with disabilities. I'm interested to hear what resources or thoughts others might have.
My daughter purchased her 3 bedroom west-Madison condo through Movin Out, around 7 years ago. Movin Out was able to arrange around $60,000 of no interest loans or grants to help with that purchase, so her bank loan was small enough to cut her total housing costs by nearly 1/2. Now she pays around $1100 per month for all housing costs, including: utilities, WiFi, TV cable and mortgage (the bank loan, real estate taxes and home insurance). In comparison, when renting she was paying $1000 for rent, alone. As a home owner she has far more space, privacy, quiet and security than she had as a renter. My daughter is currently looking for a compatible, female housemate to split the $1100 monthly home expenses, so if you are interested in paying only $550 per month for all housing expense, you can learn more by calling me at 608-333-3101. Please note that the housemate has the entire second floor (two bedrooms and bath), incase accessibility must be considered.
We are hopeful to help our daughter acquire a home eventually. Much as you describe above Laurine. Do you know if Movin Out could help in Kenosha? (As an aside, we have started an ABLE acct for house, dental and/or car. Not sure how it will actually help.)
Hi Mary, You may wish to call Movin Out and speak with one of their counselors see if/how they might assist. I believe they started in Dane county and have spread their support throughout WI, based in large part on requests for assistance from the various regions. Besides assisting people to buy their home, Movin Out has also purchased or built apartment buildings, adapted them for accessibility, and rented at lower than usual cost. Here's their website and phone number: movin-out.org or 608-251-4446. My daughter uses her social security funds and income from some wages to cover her housing cost. We've started a trust that will help cover any larger costs such as if/when she needs a new furnace, etc.
Thanks for the great resource, Laurine!
I"M told that Movin Out does not cover my area.
Thanks for the info Laurine. Some creative and committed people in Illinois developed a nice booklet some years ago that might be of interest to some in this group. Of course, programs in Wisconsin are not the same as programs in Illinois, and so some of the detail on implementation wouldn't apply. However, it has a nice overview of building community to build housing options.
I haven't really connected with a Kenosha parent group, or really any group of parents are working on expanding options. (Moved here 2 years ago.) I'm thinking about starting a group for parents of adult children with disabilities to do some education on trusts, able, microboards, path, etc. As a newcomer, not sure of the best way to go about it. Thoughts?
