Annual Reports Annual Reports Menu Housing Workgroup Members Michelle Malloy, Chair Corporation for Supportive Housing Southern New England Program Jay Burdick Department of Human Services Brenda Clement RI Housing Network Kristen Connors Office of Congressman Jim Langevin Diane Cook Department of Human Services Diane Dwyer RI Housing Elaina Goldstein Executive Director, Rhodes to Independence, URI Carlos Hernandez RI Housing Ann LeClerc RI Public Transit Authority Jeff Mason Healing Homes Kate McCarthy Barnett University of Rhode Island Rhodes to Independence Leigh Pagnozzi Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless Camille Pansa Statewide Independent Living Council Arthur Plitt Governor's Commission on Disabilities Darlene Price Housing Resource Commission Lorna Ricci Ocean State Center for Independent Living Nicki Sahlin NAMI RI Diane Smith Crossroads of RI Richard F. Staples, Jr. Fannie Mae RI Partnership Office Marie Strauss RI Department of Elderly Affairs Natanya Szendro University of Rhode Island Rhodes to Independence Robert Winters United Cerebral Palsy of RI 2004 Accomplishments In 2004, the Rhodes to Independence Housing Workgroup was created. The Housing Workgroup met six times throughout the year. Its members include representatives from state agencies, non-profit organizations, private sector businesses, consumers and a Congressional Representative's staff member. The primary focus of the Housing Workgroup's 2004 activities involved conducting research to identify the needs and gaps within the housing system for people with disabilities. The Housing Workgroup's 2004 accomplishments included the following: Conducted research to provide background information on the current status of housing for people with disabilities in Rhode Island. Hosted presentations to gather additional supportive data on selected topics. Completed an analysis of the data collected including the identification of available programs and services, housing needs and gaps within the housing system. Developed the Rhodes to Independence Housing Workgroup goal. Established the 2005 Housing Workgroup priorities. Conducted research to provide background information on the current status of housing for people with disabilities in Rhode Island. The methodology used for the Housing Workgroup research involved conducting interviews with state and non-profit housing agencies/organizations, programs, and disability organizations; conducting reviews of state and national disability and housing resources; and gathering supplemental data from presentations by experts in the field. The key findings included barriers to housing for people with disabilities in the following areas: Homelessness & Shelters Supportive Housing Housing Affordability & Program Availability Home Modifications Transition from Institutions Hosted presentations to gather additional supportive data on selected topics. Additional supportive data was compiled through presentations and discussions by experts in the field. The Housing Workgroup presentation topics included: Policy Development and the Impact on Housing for People with Disabilities. Supportive Housing for Adults with Disabilities Housing Affordability: Success and Challenges Accommodations: Understanding and Implementation The Relationship Between Housing and Employment Goals Completed an analysis of the data collected including the identification of available programs and services, housing needs and gaps within the housing system. The findings of the data collection, discussions, presentations and analysis demonstrated a lack of coordination throughout the housing system and disability organizations in addressing the goal of housing for people with disabilities. The analysis found that this lack of coordination has resulted in a shortage of affordable and accessible housing opportunities for people with disabilities. Developed the Rhodes to Independence Housing Workgroup goal. Based on the findings, the Housing Workgroup established its primary goal. This goal is to construct sustainable system changes that will remove barriers preventing people with disabilities of all ages from residing in the community or in the housing arrangement of their choice, and improve capacity and access to housing across the continuum that is coordinated with long-term care supports. Much of the work accomplished this past year positioned the State to apply for the CMS Integrating Long Term Supports with Affordable Housing Grant opportunity. The grant was drafted and ready to be submitted by the July deadline. Although we did not receive final approval from DHS for the July 2004 submission they were supportive of a submission in 2005. After the development of the Housing Workgroup goal, the members began the process of identifying the 2005 Workgroup Activities which are highlighted below. Housing Workgroup 2005 Proposed Activities Conduct focus groups to assess consumers' perceptions of gaps, barriers, unmet needs across the housing-needs continuum in Rhode Island with long-term care support, and provide support in navigation of the housing system. Develop a central Rhode Island Accessible Housing Registry that includes public housing, privately operated subsidized housing, and private market-rate developments. Utilization of a behavioral health "train the trainer" module developed by the RI Real Choices Systems Change Grant to train key housing entities including the community mental health agencies, other disability organizations/agencies, and the State's Public Housing Authorities. Conduct operational audits across the continuum of housing ranging from temporary to supportive housing units concerning architectural accessibility. The Workgroup has established monthly meeting dates for 2005 and the members are committed to accomplishing the identified Housing Workgroup goals. Steering Committee | Executive Summary | Employment Retention | Housing Workgroup Outreach Workgroup | Transportation Workgroup Youth in Transition Workgroup | Annual Reports Menu About Us | Researchers/Publications and Toolkits