The following is a press release issued by the Wayland Housing Partnership
The need for housing solutions for adults living with disabilities has surged in recent years, as the affordability gap has worsened and the number of adults living with disabilities has increased. According to the Center on Disability at the Public Health Institute, in 2016 persons with disabilities constituted 12.6% of the US population.
Several of our members have heard concerns from local residents who are striving to find safe and affordable housing opportunities for their adult children with disabilities. In fact, the Wayland Housing Authority reports that adults with disabilities account for 40% of their lengthy wait list for one-bedroom units.
The Arc, a public policy and advocacy group for people with intellectual and development disabilities, states, “being part of the community and living as independently as possible are amongst the most important values and goals shared by people with disabilities, their families, and advocates. A home of one’s own – either rented or owned – is the cornerstone of independence for people with disabilities.”
One good option for this population is to live in a shared housing community (also referred to as a group home). We encourage community members to help identify local opportunities that could make such options more available to local residents. Ideally, this would involve the conversion of existing homes into multi-bedroom units with shared common space and room for an in-house case manager, preferably within walking distance to retail and service establishments. For families, this model enables cost-sharing and coordinated services while simultaneously addressing social/compatibility needs for family members with disabilities. At the present time, Wayland has just one group living facility, which has blended in well with the local community. But this is not adequate; we believe our community members should do more to address this growing need.
Specifically, we are aware that the Trinitarian Church, in the center of Town, is contemplating the demolition of two structures that, we believe, could be easily converted into group homes. We urge congregants and other members of this community to seriously consider this and/or other options that could help meet one of the Town’s pressing needs. If you have ideas or suggestions for properties in Wayland that might be suitable for a group home for disabled adults, please contact the Wayland Housing Partnership: https://www.wayland.ma.us/housing-partnership
