Housing Plans

Why have a housing plan?
Where you live matters so much to your quality of life, safety, security and your ability to access services and supports you need.  When you have control over where you live it means that you won’t have to move because someone else wants you to move.  If you want to change service providers, you can without having to move.  The human service system does not pay for housing.  Housing is the most expensive thing that people with disabilities have to pay for.  Obtaining housing that people can afford is a difficult task and takes a long time.

Creating a Housing Plan

Explore all housing options in the area you wish to live
Some of these options include shared housing, home ownership, parents purchase home, subsidized housing (where you get help with your rent), set aside apartments, HUD 811 projects, market rate housing using a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) formally known as section 8 and bond or tax credit properties.

Explore resources
Contact your local housing non-profit for resources, your local housing authority (you can find this by going to www.hud.gov), fair housing, rental assistance programs, social security office and city and county resources.  The Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA) will soon have a housing link on their web site. 

Include your regional center in your plans
Know and talk with your regional center Service Coordinator.  Have your housing plan included in your IPP.  Match the right services and supports for your situation.  Talk to your friends about their housing plan.  Include your circle of support when you create your plan.

Prepare to move
Save money for security deposit and application fees.  Create a budget.  Create list of furniture and other household items you will need.  Start saving these items.  Identify possible roommates.  Apply for housing wait lists as soon as you turn 18 years old because wait lists are long.  Know bus lines and transportation options.  Plan for rent increases unless you own your home. 

Take tours and look for...
The Community, Density (# of apartments), Design, Bus lines, Affordability, Do you like it and does it meet your needs? Check the crime in the area through the local police department.

Time to Move!

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