Housing Needs of Georgians with Developmental Disabilities: A Statewide Assessment of Opportunities and Barriers to Community Housing

Abstract

Background: Despite housing representing a critical determinant of health, well-being, independence, and civil rights, people with developmental disabilities (DD) disproportionately experience housing disparities across Georgia. The lack of affordable, accessible, and healthy housing options with support services to accommodate independent living often leaves Georgians with no other choices besides institutional living or less desirable communities. Applying principles of community-based participatory research, we convened a leadership group of people with DD and family advocates to lead and advise a statewide assessment of opportunities and barriers to housing for people with DD.

Methods: Data about the housing needs of Georgians with DD were collected in a statewide survey during September and October 2022. We distributed the survey electronically and in paper format across networks of people with DD and caregivers from leadership group members and community-based partners and planned four focus groups for people with DD and caregivers to better understand the gaps in housing to meet the needs of this population.

Results: Survey results yielded 2,646 responses from people with DD and caregivers across 129 Georgia counties. Preliminary survey findings suggest that the critical housing needs are not being met for Georgians with DD. Findings will be compiled into a report with actionable recommendations that promote systemic change and build capacity to improve services and support for partner organizations and decision-makers. Focus group recruitment yielded 53 individuals to participate in one of four focus groups in early December 2022.

Conclusion: Future directions include facilitating key informant interviews with nationwide housing and support service providers and conducting an environmental scan of existing data, promising practices from other states, and emerging innovations in housing. The compilation of comprehensive study findings and dissemination among key decision-makers across Georgia will help to increase understanding of housing needs for people with DD and set the stage for policy and systems changes that advance housing equity for people with DD.

Keywords: housing; developmental disability; community-based participatory research; social determinants of health

Keywords

housing, developmental disability, community-based participatory research, social determinants of health

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Housing Needs of Georgians with Developmental Disabilities: A Statewide Assessment of Opportunities and Barriers to Community Housing

Background: Despite housing representing a critical determinant of health, well-being, independence, and civil rights, people with developmental disabilities (DD) disproportionately experience housing disparities across Georgia. The lack of affordable, accessible, and healthy housing options with support services to accommodate independent living often leaves Georgians with no other choices besides institutional living or less desirable communities. Applying principles of community-based participatory research, we convened a leadership group of people with DD and family advocates to lead and advise a statewide assessment of opportunities and barriers to housing for people with DD.

Methods: Data about the housing needs of Georgians with DD were collected in a statewide survey during September and October 2022. We distributed the survey electronically and in paper format across networks of people with DD and caregivers from leadership group members and community-based partners and planned four focus groups for people with DD and caregivers to better understand the gaps in housing to meet the needs of this population.

Results: Survey results yielded 2,646 responses from people with DD and caregivers across 129 Georgia counties. Preliminary survey findings suggest that the critical housing needs are not being met for Georgians with DD. Findings will be compiled into a report with actionable recommendations that promote systemic change and build capacity to improve services and support for partner organizations and decision-makers. Focus group recruitment yielded 53 individuals to participate in one of four focus groups in early December 2022.

Conclusion: Future directions include facilitating key informant interviews with nationwide housing and support service providers and conducting an environmental scan of existing data, promising practices from other states, and emerging innovations in housing. The compilation of comprehensive study findings and dissemination among key decision-makers across Georgia will help to increase understanding of housing needs for people with DD and set the stage for policy and systems changes that advance housing equity for people with DD.

Keywords: housing; developmental disability; community-based participatory research; social determinants of health