co-housing/co-ops by and for people with ASDs--thoughts?

Post Reply New Topic

How I'm defining words:

"Co-housing" = something along the lines of a roommate situation.
"Co-op housing" = a situation where a group of people collectively owns an apartment building, subdivided house, or collection of townhouses--but everybody lives in their own apt/house.

I'm just curious if anybody else has come across the idea of collective/co-operative housing situations for people with ASDs that are actually run by people with ASDs (with or without the assistance of others)....and what are your thoughts about the idea?

I haven't come across the idea in action but it's great.

Yes, I've thought about that and have been wondering ways to do that. Especially in my location.

The only ones that I've heard of is the 2 farms, one in North Carolina and one in Ohio. (Full Spectrum Farms) They have them set up on a farm which is cool (something I've always thought of) since most have difficulties living in the city with crowds and everything. And they get to work with animals.

Oh, I also heard of one run (i think it was apartment complex) run by people with ASD and they live in their respective apartments, but can't remember where that was >.<

But would definitely be something I would like to be a part of.

I'd say it would depend greatly on how it was run whether it would be good or bad.

Yes.

I almost certainly think it wouldn't be something for me. I wouldn't want to live with random, unrelated people like that that I'm not dating. I need my own space.

i honestly think it would be a good idea for folks that are or needing to live in a situation like that. however, there is places similar to that already called "retirement homes" or "nursing homes".

but for ASDs it would be interesting, finding funding for that would be the crusade

Yeah, I work in social services, helping people with disabilities with housing-related issues, and I can say there is some truth to that.

One of the biggest issues that advocates have fought for in the disability rights movement is creating opportunities for people with disabilities to live out in the community and be integrated into society, rather than be stuck living in institutions or disability-related housing. When builders try to get tax credits and financial help from agencies like HUD for a housing project, they have to demonstrate support from stakeholders in the community. Some advocates might view efforts towards a housing project solely for people with an ASD diagnosis as trying to create some kind of autistic ghetto and not support the idea.

Personally, though, as someone with AS who has sensory issues related to noise and has trouble living in typical apartment complexes, I think the issue of ASD-specific housing could have some benefits.

I've come across those, too! I also found a website for one in western Canada. They sound like a very good idea, although the model that's used isn't one that I personally would like (I don't need as much external support as the farms are set up for, and I wouldn't like mixing work and home life unless I was working for myself and by myself....plus, as much as I love the peace and quiet of rural areas, I'm a city boy.)



Neat! I'd like to learn about something like that....maybe the model would be different--there would be many ways to set up co-op housing, wouldn't there?

Very true!



Well, I was thinking more along the lines of "standard" housing co-ops which are owned and managed by the people that live in them....I think that retirement/nursing homes are more like group homes than housing co-ops.

The focus of a housing co-op is (usually) more about removing barriers to affordable housing, and meeting the specific housing needs of certain groups of people who may share common interests and desire similar things in their housing setups and in their relationships with their next-door neighbours (there are co-ops that are only open to women, youth, artists, etc.)



Also very true!

So co-housing wouldn't be for you (I'm not sure how well I'd do in co-housing either, to be honest--I've never done well when "my space" is limited to a bedroom)...but co-op housing doesn't necessarily mean sharing an apartment or a house.

It can mean that you have your own apt or house in a building or housing complex. The "co-operative" part refers to the fact that you are part-owner of the co-operative itself, that you share responsibility with other members for running and maintaining the co-op, and that the co-op members form a community that works together to achieve certain common goals (all without sharing personal living spaces).

I never thought about the "ghetto-ization" issue....that would be a huge difficulty. I understand why people could see it that way....but at the same time, there are housing co-ops for women, indigenous people, artists, etc. and it always seemed to me like the whole point behind those kinds of co-ops was to remove barriers to community inclusion and self-determination. Maybe I'm not understanding something.....?

[quote="blueroses"]Personally, though, as someone with AS who has sensory issues related to noise and has trouble living in typical apartment complexes, I think the issue of ASD-specific housing could have some benefits.[/quotes]

That's the kind of thing I think about when I wonder about co-op housing for people with ASDs....

If it was run by the people who lived there, then maybe it would be possible to create opportunities for people to meet their diverse sensory needs just by virtue of the fact that the residents would have control over the building and could make upgrades/alterations (sound proofing? dimmer switches? a policy of allowing residents to alter their homes in certain ways to meet sensory needs?)....or through mutually agreed upon policies (something like agreeing not to use scented cleaners on the floors in the common hallways?).

In the housing co-op models I'm most familiar with, members are responsible for handling the application process, choosing new residents, and holding co-op meetings....I wonder if the the application and meeting processes could be tailored to make them more friendly to those of use who have communication differences?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, everybody! ....and I'm sorry for my rambling ^

I ADORE these ideas, especially becasue I know a lot of people with AS have trouble with independent living for some or most of their adult lifetimes. This would be also the ideal situation for dozens of people with AS that I know, but the reality is, it comes down to money, money, and more money. It's so frustrating.

The Woodview Manor, a Supported Independent Living Program, is the only such facility I know of for people with ASD in my province. There are also group homes for people with ASD, but nothing that teaches independent living skills like Woodview. There are also assorted SIL programs, but they are only for people with intellectual disabilities, rather than for people who are otherwise high functioning (e.g. have Aspergers).

http://www.woodview.ca/autism-services/ ... -unit.html

I don't think the second idea is particularly for me either. I'll probably end up with my own flat, paid for by the housing association in some form or another. Basically, I don't want to be tied to other people if I can help it.

*nods* I get what you're saying. Co-ops/co-housing are definitely not the ideal situation for everyone!

Thank you very much for posting this. I have been thinking about it alot as an emotionally sustainable solution for myself and others. It is great that anyone wanting evidence that it works now has an easy reference point

I keep thinking of the movie Mozart and the Whale. The group was facilitated by a very capable young man with AS. It must have got me thinking that only people with AS know what our unique needs are. Which is why a co-op is the perfect scenario.

I have lived in co-operative housing in Western Australia, with NTs. It's wonderful. You are there because you want the safety of likeminded people. When you feel safe, you are then more likely to venture out into the unknown in your own time. I think it would work a treat. I can even envision people higher on the spectrum having minor supporting roles of people slightly lower on the spectrum.

I have been feeling alot that we have a kind of obligation to assist those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We are on the spectrum but have the benefit of speech and functionality and coping mechanisms etc. I feel we can ease our personal sufferings by supporting others. But getting away from the concept of "obligation" for a moment; imagine if there were opportunities to assist others, if we felt like it, when we felt more able to give of ourselves. We could spend sometime, safe in our own living space, considering all the possible outcomes and make sure we are absolutely in control of the situation and can withdraw at any time if we do not feel comfortable. Any contribution to another persons life would be a gift. The gift would be our also.

Volunteerism is a great way to grow. I think co-operatives are a fantastic idea, even without volunteerism.

I hope to be able to be a part of one some day.

Thanks