Best Practices in Policy Creation and Administration in Meeting Housing Needs for People with Disabilities and Their Families: A Case Study in Ottawa County, Michigan

For people with disabilities across the spectrum of disability categories, there is a need for better understanding of current and projected housing needs options. What housing, programs and policies exist to serve the disability community? How are policies and programs for people with disabilities, their families and caregivers being implemented? What gaps remain in the knowledge about housing and disability as well as in policy and implementation/administration arenas surrounding housing for people with disabilities and their families? Through a participatory action process, this project seeks to improve understanding and policy and program recommendations on housing options for the disability community. The topics identified as central to housing for the disability community that need better understanding include affordability of housing, accessibility, available individual supports and access to community amenities, such as transportation, that exist or are lacking. Through review of current data and a collection of new data in the form of a case study from Ottawa County, Michigan, this project will work to improve understanding and create a set of recommendations regarding housing options for people with disabilities, their families, and their caregivers.