Communities to Know: Florida
Each month we report on intentional communities for adults with IDD around the U.S. This month, we are highlighting projects operating or planned in Florida. [Click here for full article and links]
EXISTING
Arc Jacksonville Village (Jacksonville). The Village is an affordable, independent-living, apartment-style neighborhood designed to maximize community inclusion for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The community features 97 affordable one and two-bedroom rental apartments for about 120 residents, a community center with a great room, game and fitness rooms, theater, activity and meeting rooms, computer lab and dining hall. Additionally, a swimming pool, picnic area and recreational amenities are on site for residents to enjoy. It is a Medicaid-eligible setting.
Promise in Brevard (West Melbourne). Promise in Brevard, which opened in 2018, is an affordable housing community on 39 acres for 125 adults with disabilities, ranging in age from 19 to 60; although, the average age of residents is 32. Rent is calculated on a sliding scale based on the resident’s total income. It is a project of Promise Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2009 as a way to provide a much-needed housing opportunity for adults with disabilities. Promise also offers vocational training and employment opportunities. It is a Medicaid-eligible setting.
The Village at Noah’s Landing (Lakeland). This is a residential community for 146 adults with IDD on 56 acres that opened in 2016. It offers one, two, three, and four-bedroom apartments. Residents have their own bedroom and bathroom suites and a common living room, dining room, and kitchen. Each apartment has its own washer and dryer and private pantries. The Community Center offers social, recreational, vocational, and educational opportunities. It is located near grocery shopping, a shopping mall, medical facilities, continuing education opportunities, dining, and employment. It is a Medicaid-eligible setting.
Loveland Center (Venice). Loveland’s Venice campus houses the Nancy Detert Residences, a low-income apartment complex of 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom apartments in an independent living model. Bridlewood Real Estate Company LLC is solely responsible for lease management, property maintenance and troubleshoot support. All support services within individual apartments are provided by third party agencies or caregivers unrelated to Loveland Center or Bridlewood. It is a Medicaid-eligible setting.
Quest Village (East Orlando). An innovative residential community of 48 one-bedroom/one-bathroom apartments designed for independent adults with developmental disabilities with convenient access to employment, healthcare, transportation, entertainment and education. Support services offered at Quest Village are provided by Quest, Inc. and are provided at multiple levels and fees based on the individual’s support needs. Off-site services are available weekly to assist with community activities of daily living. Monthly fees apply. It is a Medicaid-eligible setting.
Casa Familia (Kendall). Construction is underway to create a sustainable, enriched and affordable housing community, with features, amenities and services designed to benefit adults with intellectual, developmental and related disabilities. The Village of Casa Familia, developed through public and private partnerships, will consist of 50 spacious one-and two-bedroom apartments that will provide housing for 60 adults. The community will feature an 11,000-square-foot state-of-the-art community center.
Bishop Grady Villas (St. Cloud). Founded in 2004, Bishop Grady Villas has supported adults with disabilities from across Florida on its residential campus. It now operates under a larger umbrella called Magnify of Central Florida and provide residential, employment, youth transition, life skills development, and advocacy services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout Central Florida. It is licensed as an Assisted Living Facility.
PLANNED / IN DEVELOPMENT
Independence Landing (Tallahassee). Their mission is to build, own, and operate an affordable safe, planned residential community for adults with varying intellectual and/or developmental disabilities allowing residents to successfully lead independent and fulfilled lives. Most residents will need only a modicum of support, mentoring, independent living coaching, and limited supervision. Many will go to work, continue their education or vocational training, or participate in local day training services with the provider of their choice off campus. Rent will be paid for by residents and their families along with auxiliary fees that cover social and vocational activities as selected by residents.
OHRLiving @ Orlando (Orlando). OHRLiving plans to offer supportive apartment housing for adults with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities, promoting an inclusive and empowering living experience. Their two-year residential transition program is designed for individuals aged 18 and older to develop life skills through classroom instruction, community involvement, and practical home-based experiences. It will be a private pay setting.
A Place to Call Home Palm Beach County (Palm Beach County). A Place to Call Home Palm Beach County Florida Inc. will provide a pathway to Independent living by offering safe, affordable housing solutions for adults with Autism or a neuro-diversity that can meet criteria and demonstrate readiness to live away from home in supportive independent settings (aged 21 and older). They continue to search for a suitable location, whether land on an existing campus or the renovation of an existing property. The new 60-unit supportive independent building in Palm Beach County pictured on the landing page is a graphic representation that they propose.
A Kindred Village (St. Petersburg). This group, One Kin Roof, is planning a small and affordable universally-designed co-housing neighborhood of up to 49 single-family homes and villas with porches that facilitates working together to intentionally plan and design the space and amenities to be accessible by all. Outdoor amenities would include community spaces and green spaces.
Isaiah Village (Pinellas Park). An intentional community comprised of 400 and 500sf homes and an apartment building all on five acres. The neighborhood includes a community center and a wide variety of outdoor amenities. It is planned to be a Medicaid-eligible setting.
A-Town Community (Tampa). Founded in early 2021, this group has a vision to develop a special residential community that would offer residents an attractive, modern, and adaptive living experience. It is planned to be a Medicaid-eligible setting.
Homes to Aspire (Tampa). The HOMES TO ASPIRE project is a unique housing option for active, capable, and willing adults on the autism spectrum. This community project attempts to provide a home for 28 adults on the spectrum that are both financially qualified and functioning at a level that provides them with independence and unified support.
These are the existing and planned communities we know about. There may be others we haven’t included only because we don’t know about them. If you know of an intentional community for adults with autism or intellectual or developmental disabilities in Florida that you would like included in this post, please email us.