ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona nonprofit researches how housing can serve those with disabilities

Mar 8, 2023, 4:35 AM | Updated: 8:07 am

(Pexels Photo)...

(Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

PHOENIX — Housing affordability has been a topic of conversation in the Valley in recent years. However, for some, there are other factors besides cost that factor into housing access.

Arizona nonprofit First Place AZ has released a new report on the state of housing for adults with autism or other intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“We reached out to adults with autism or other intellectual or developmental disabilities as well as their families,” Maureen Casey, First Place AZ researcher and public policy expert, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “We introduced different ideas about housing possibilities… then gave them an opportunity to share with us what they identified as their needs and preferences.”

Based on the report, Casey said they found these populations feel comfortable with some accommodations.

“They wanted more inclusive housing, housing that included both people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those without,” she explained. “And safety was a high concern.”

She added things like better lighting and a constant presence on-site to provide support can help people with these types of disabilities more comfortable.
Casey also stressed that some of these desires apply to many other people in the market.

“Some of their needs are the exact same needs that seniors and veterans and survivors of domestic violence have,” she said. “[Such as] a walkable city connected to public transportation.”

First Place AZ offers an example of what a housing community that takes these needs into account can look like.

“Our most visible presence in Arizona is First Place Phoenix,” she explained. “It’s an 81,000-square-foot community development for adults with autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities.”

First Place Phoenix offers a variety of the supportive amenities many people with these disabilities have said are helpful.

“We have a 24/7 concierge… to respond to the needs that residents might have” she said. “We provide community life activities… that makes it easier to interact with one another.”

She hopes that moving forward, adjustments like these can be part of the housing conversation.

“We need to ensure that as cities and localities are working to create more housing that’s affordable,” she said, “they taking into consideration the needs this population has identified.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo)...

Associated Press

Pilot killed in small plane crash near Eloy Municipal Airport

A pilot has been killed in a small plane crash in a vacant lot near Eloy Municipal Airport, about halfway between Phoenix and Tucson, police said.

9 hours ago

Firebird Motorsports Park....

KTAR.com

Chandler racing complex renamed Firebird Motorsports Park

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has a new name -- Firebird Motorsports Park.

11 hours ago

Pamela Andrews...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 68-year-old woman located

The Mesa Police Department canceled a Silver Alert on Saturday after locating Pamela Andrew, the Arizona Department of Safety says.

11 hours ago

Silver Alert...

KTAR.com

Silver Alert canceled after 81-year-old found dead

John Saler, an 81-year-old who went missing in Tonopah on Wednesday, was found deceased, authorities said Saturday.

13 hours ago

Southwest Human Development...

KTAR.com

New Head Start early education center set to open in Phoenix

Southwest Human Development will host an open house for a new Head Start campus in Phoenix next week.

15 hours ago

caution tape...

KTAR.com

Woman charged with murdering her husband in west Valley home

A woman is behind bars for allegedly murdering her husband in their west Valley home, according to police.

17 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

Valley residents should be mindful of plumbing ahead of holidays

With Halloween in the rear-view and more holidays coming up, Day & Night recommends that Valley residents prepare accordingly.

Follow @KTAR923...

The best ways to honor our heroes on Veterans Day and give back to the community

Veterans Day is fast approaching and there's no better way to support our veterans than to donate to the Military Assistance Mission.

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

Arizona nonprofit researches how housing can serve those with disabilities