Getting My Own Address

The Getting My Own Address program was created by Community Housing Network, Inc., a Michigan housing nonprofit, in response to the need for housing to meet the unique needs of individuals with ASD entering adulthood. This overview presentation discusses the eight components of a successful long-term housing plan and the process to complete it. The objectives for this session:

1)  Participants will learn the eight (8) areas necessary to consider and accomplish for a successful long-term housing plan.

2)  Participants will learn how to use Person-Centered Planning and Self-Determination to create a long term housing plan.

3)  Teachers and community mental health professionals, as well as individuals and families, will learn about many of the choices and resources available in housing for individuals with disabilities.

Getting My Own Address (GMOA)is a comprehensive program to develop individualized long-term housing plans specifically created for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), their families and supporting professionals using grants from the Autism Society Oakland County, Michigan. 

The GMOA Program addresses, and the presentation will state, the following needs:

1)   Due to the increasing incidence levels of ASD, large numbers of people with ASD are transitioning to adulthood;

2)   Their parents will age out of the ability to meet their adult child’s needs;

3)   Public funds for housing are limited;

4)   Traditional use of institutions and group homes lead to poor outcomes, and high expense;

5)   The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires a Transition Plan for each student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) by age 16 including “independent living” and “adult living objectives”;

6)   Community Mental Health (CMH) workers must also include housing goals within the individual plan of service (IPOS) for the individuals on their case loads. 

Affordable housing is a highly specialized area, and yet teachers and CMH supports coordinators are required to help the people they work with understand and choose among the many options available, and then make a plan for independent housing. 

This overview presentation of GMOA breaks down the complex and often overwhelming process of long-term housing planning into the steps, choices, and options available to plan for housing in the community of one’s choice. Prior knowledge is not assumed.  The presentation is based on “Getting My Own Address for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities”, a guide developed with the input of individuals with ASD, parents, teachers, supports coordinators, housing professionals, transition coordinators, and support staff providers.   The guide is available to use online or for free download at: http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org/activek/content.asp?catid=51&contentid=61&returnto=catid=51  The guide can also be purchased with a binder and dividers. 

Areas of discussion will include:

1)   Purpose of GMOA

2)   “Independent Living” means living interdependently

3)  Person-Centered Planning and housing

4)  Self-Determination and housing

5)  “My Plan” development using Person-Centered Planning and Self- Determination and reference to the eight (8) areas necessary to consider and accomplish for a successful long term housing plan:

1. When I will work on each of the steps that make up My Plan?
2. How will I pay?
3. What will I do for fun?
4. What will I do to help?
5. Who will help me?
6. Where will I live?
7. Who will I live with?
8. When something does not work, what will I do?

6)  Budget

1. What benefits and other sources of income are available?
2. What expenses are involved and can some be shared with roommates?

7)  Supports

1. Differences between natural, paid, and entitled supports
2. How to determine the level and type of support needed
3. Can I share supports with my roommates?

8)  Housing Choices

1. What housing features are preferred, necessary, or to be avoided?

9)  Housing Ownerships Options

1. Rent
2. Buy

10)              Roommates

11)              Transitioning – Moving Out and Moving In

12)              Being a Good Tenant

Excerpts from the guide will be part of the presentation materials, and reference to the many worksheets included in the guide will be made.  For instance, the cornerstone of the planning process is “My Plan” developed using Person-Centered Planning and the components of Self-Determination considering the unique needs and desires of the individual.  Each of eight areas must be considered and choices made.  (Please see Section 5, sub-sections 1-8, above.)  Hand-outs will include ideas for classroom and community based instruction for teachers and incremental long-term housing goals for supports coordinators using the GMOA guide and worksheets.

We will discuss setting expectations – for the individual, family, and supporting professionals – in terms of independent living.  The presentation will end with suggested next steps.

The GMOA Program advocates for the use of a combination of private and public funds, including government benefits, to plan for scattered-site housing in the community of one’s choice.