Laura, a young woman with developmental disabilities, lived in the same apartment in southern Vermont for 20 years. But when the homeowner who provided the space for Laura and another tenant was no longer able to, Laura and her housemate quickly found themselves in need of new living arrangements. While this wouldn’t be an ideal situation for anyone — especially during a housing crisis like Vermont is currently facing — for Laura, the situation is far more pressing as accessible housing options are limited or the barriers too steep.
As part of Vermont’s Act 186, legislation was created to implement pilot planning grants that would address housing and residential service needs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This funding has now been granted to three organizations across Vermont to help idealize innovative models for accessible, affordable housing. Upper Valley Services is a designated agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities and is one of the organizations, in concert with Downstreet Housing and Community Development, that received grant funding – $167,000 – toward this initiative.
Laura and her family were unable to find a new option, due to the limited availability, so she wound up moving back home with her aging parents, Ruth and Norm Buchanan.
“We’re Laura’s biggest cheerleaders,” Ruth Buchanan said. “But we’re getting older, and it’s not easy for us to provide her with the resources and help she needs. Our greatest wish is that she can have a space that feels like her own while receiving necessary supports and feeling independent of us.”
Seeking to be a part of the solution, for their daughter and other families impacted by the limited accessible housing options available for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Buchanans will be donating their family home to the cause.
Additionally, the recent investment of state funding from Vermont’s Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living Act 186, along with input and assistance from various community partners and organizations, will help make their vision a reality.
“Vermonters with developmental disabilities deserve to live in homes where they feel safe, connected, and respected,” Gloria Quinn, Executive Director of Upper Valley Services, said. “Our goal is to remove barriers, so everyone has access to a home that meets their needs and preferences. Most importantly, people deserve to remain in their own homes when people who support them decide to move on. Permanent housing and support models enhance a sense of stability and confidence. The funding made available through the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living’s Act 186 will allow us to continue our work to ensure that people supported through our agency have housing and supports that meet their needs.”
With the funding, Upper Valley Services, in partnership with Downstreet Housing and Community Development, will be able to move forward with two proposed housing plans — one utilizing the Buchanan residence, referred to as Hamesbest, and one accessing apartments in a complex being developed by Downstreet in downtown Waterbury.
The Hamesbest project, named in honor of the family’s former Hamesbest Orchard, will provide housing for two people with disabilities to live together, with a live-in for support when they need it. A supplemental single unit may also be designed on the property. Downstreet’s downtown Waterbury apartment project will provide more independent living options for 3-5 people. The apartments will be designed with accessibility in mind and will allow residents to live safely, comfortably, and with full opportunity to live, work, and enjoy their community.
“When we talk about affordable and accessible housing, one of the most important things to remember is that one size does not fit all,” Quinn said. “We support people with a range of needs and preferences who require accessible and affordable housing. Vermont has an extreme housing shortage now, so our challenge is to create partnerships and find opportunities for new housing options where it appears there is none. Through our conversations with the Buchanans, the team at Downstreet, and a dedicated steering committee of family members and service users, we were able to identify two possible plans to address the current needs and pave a pathway for future housing initiatives.”
In addition to laying the groundwork for the two housing projects, the funding will allow Upper Valley Services and their community partners to gather information to help inform future affordable housing projects in the state and create replicable models.
“These projects are just the first step in the work we hope to achieve,” Deb Reed, Service and Housing Coordinator at Upper Valley Services, said. “We know that these initial projects won’t be able to serve everyone, but we hope that when we have a couple of different models to show people, they will be better able to identify what works for their future path, and we will be able to recreate the process for people who need it.”
Partners in this initiative include Downstreet Housing, Duncan-Wisniewski Architecture, Greg Montgomery and Osso Studio, Ward Joyce Design, Eugene Skip Whitman, Julie Abrahamson and the Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiatives leadership team, individuals with developmental disabilities, fellow group members, parents, and guardians.
Upper Valley Services provides inclusive and person centered supports for people to live their best lives and is a member organization of Vermont Care Partners. To learn more visit uvs-vt.org.
This article is part of a collaboration produced by members of Vermont Care Partners. Vermont Care Partners is a statewide network of sixteen non-profit, community-based agencies providing mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disability support.
