Opening Doors
| By Lynn Nauth | Koinonia House |
“It is projected that as many as 500,000 autistic children will reach adulthood in the next 15 years. These adults will have varying levels of independence, and will outlive their parents. Where will they go? This is the question that a collaborative report by the Urban Land Institute Arizona (ULI), the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), and Arizona State University (ASU) tries to answer.
The study focuses on the residential concerns of adults living with autism and related disorders and is designed to advance the development of replicable residential models that offer quality, affordable housing options within the fabric of their communities. It also addresses current and projected demand for life-long living options that support the segment of individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders unable to live on their own. Further, the study explores the financial catalysts needed to spur new investment by the private and public sectors to meet projected demand and advocates for the creation of public, private and non-profit collaborations to address long-term residential concerns.
Because of growing advocacy for community-living options for adults with neurobiological conditions and because of the aging of their parents in whose homes they live, many are seeking residential opportunities and accommodations outside traditional institutions and the parental home. Architects, housing providers and developers are being called upon to plan, design, retrofit and develop homes and residential developments that best fit the needs and aspirations of this new housing consumer.”
